Mike from Denver writes, “What’s driving you crazy? The “right lane must turn right” signs along southbound Quebec at Warren and Evans. There are two signs as you approach that weirdly acute angled turn at Evans. One states the right turn only is at Warren which just goes to a gas station and Planet Fitness, then immediately another that doesn’t specify Warren for the turn at Evans. About 90% of the time, the Warren sign is ignored and cars just keep driving the approximately 50 feet to the turn at Evans. If you follow the rules, but want to turn at Evans, you either need to force your way in to the Evans turn, or stop dead in the thru lane on SB Quebec and wait for an opening. Neither is ideal. Why not just make it a long right turn lane by removing the “at Warren” part of the sign to remove all confusion and lessen the constant issues?”
This is a tricky spot as you said, Mike. When I went out to visit, I watched as most of the drivers who wanted to turn at either E. Warren Drive or Evans Avenue get into the right lane before Warren. Maybe one of every 10 drivers did it the correct way by waiting until after Warren to move over to the right to go west on Evans.
This roadway is on the line of Arapahoe County and Denver with Arapahoe County talking the lead. When I talked to the Arapahoe County Transportation Division, I was told this design with two nearby right turns is not an ideal situation. But after looking at traffic flow and signage jointly with the City and County of Denver, it was determined this current configuration is the best alternative for safety and efficient traffic operations for both intersections.
Why not just make one long right turn lane on S. Quebec at Evans/Warren?
Like you pointed out, the correct way to make the two right turns is use the first right only lane to turn right at Warren and stay in the right through lane and only merge right to the right turn only lane to go right at Evans…