Q. My question concerns the intersection of Route 126 (Old River Road) and Route 116 (George Washington Highway) in Lincoln, adjacent to the Lincoln High School. The lane configuration on the north side of Old River Road is odd, essentially funneling all traffic into three single-car length lanes (heading straight, right or left) to cross over or turn onto Route 116. On the opposite side, there are two lanes facing the traffic light, one to turn left and one to go straight across. The problem is that when the light turns green, you end up with all five lanes of traffic at cross-purposes. Traffic backs up on the north side of Old River Road towards the Town Hall. Only a few cars make it through any one cycle. Why do all five lanes have the green light at the same time? Can something be done about this?

A. The northbound approach to this intersection from Old River Road (Route 126) is unconventional when compared with typical intersections throughout the state. Anna Sayles Road and Old River Road run parallel to George Washington Highway (Route 116), and come together approximately 50 feet south of the intersection of Routes 116 and 126.

With only 50-feet making up this leg of the intersection, matters get complicated because this approach is made up of three lanes: an exclusive left turn lane, a through lane, and an exclusive right turn lane. The southbound approach has an exclusive left turn lane and a shared through/right turn lane.

Your concern that both the northbound and southbound approaches receive a green light at the same time is typical of a four legged intersection. However, because of the geometry and the configuration of the northbound approach, this can be a challenging crossing. One explanation for the configuration, constructed in 1992, is that the traffic volumes showed a need for three lanes.

RIDOT can not simply change the timing and/or phasing of the existing traffic signal, or the configuration of an approach, without performing a traffic engineering study on the intersection. Your point, however, is well taken and we can understand the difficulties of maneuvering through this area.

Therefore, we will perform a study and look into the possibility of reconfiguring the northbound approach into two lanes, rather than three. As a result of this study we may also alter the timings and/or phasing of the existing traffic signal. Any possible changes would be dependent upon the results of the engineering study to be performed.

Ramp cut from project

Q. I would like to know why there aren’t ramps directly off Route 1 in North Kingstown onto the new Route 403. It seems that there would have been enough area to put a cloverleaf in for those going north on Route 1 to get onto Route 403 West instead of the way it is now. Also will there be a ramp for those going south on Route 1 to get on Route 403 West?

A. The ramp you suggest would be an on-ramp to Route 403 West from Post Road (Route 1) in North Kingstown and would provide access for motorists on Post Road northbound and southbound to enter onto Route 403 westbound. While this ramp is not included in the project, there are two alternatives that motorists can use to enter Route 403 West from Post Road.

The first is to use Gate Road onto Davisville Road, which has an on-ramp that provides access to Route 403 westbound. The second option is to turn onto Devil’s Foot Road, and subsequently turn onto West Davisville Road, where an on-ramp to Route 403 westbound is also located.

An on-ramp from Post Road onto Route 403 westbound was actually considered during the design stages of the Route 403 project. When the process of value engineering (looking for ways to decrease costs while still accomplishing the overall purpose and need of the project) took place it was decided that the on-ramp in question was not necessary in the short term.

One reason was the other points of access to Route 403 West that were previously mentioned. Another reason was the low traffic volumes that were projected to use this ramp. In the future it is still possible that the ramp you mention may be constructed, if and when traffic volumes increase to the point where its construction would become warranted.

Dana Alexander Nolfe, chief public affairs officer for the state Department of Transportation, has agreed to answer questions of general interest posed by Journal readers about state roads and other state transportation matters.

The DOT is responsible for the state’s transportation infrastructure, which includes highways, bridges, traffic signals and bikeways.

To ask a question that would also be of interest to other readers, send a letter to Ask RIDOT, Features Department, The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902. You can also e-mail your question to projocars@projo.com. Please put “Question for the DOT” in the subject field.

Questions or complaints of a specific nature should be posed to the DOT directly and will not be answered in this column.

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