Roanoke’s six-month lane change demonstration on 2 miles of Williamson Road has come to an end, and despite heightened controversy and signs opposing changes lining the road, the city says it hasn’t seen substantive changes in traffic patterns.
Williamson Road is one of the valley’s major thoroughfares: About 600 businesses line its 10-mile length through Roanoke and Roanoke County, and it’s used by 15,000 vehicles per day, according to the city’s website.
It’s also been the site of numerous vehicle crashes over the years — something that residents and business owners attribute to difficult turns, poorly designed sidewalk crossings, frequent speeding and limited visibility due to closely packed buildings and signs…