To the Editor:

The following is an open letter that was sent to Councillor Maureen Feeney this week.

I would like to bring to your attention a somewhat recent, nonsensical and arbitrary traffic ordinance on the southbound side of Morrissey Boulevard at the Freeport Street intersection. Morrissey Boulevard was designed as a six-lane roadway, three lanes on either side, and has always been utilized as such, until just a few years ago. Overnight and with no input from the community at large, a sign suddenly appeared on the southbound side just beyond the drawbridge stating, "Right Lane Must Turn Right." In effect, this reduces this heavily-traveled road at this juncture to a mere two lanes for the majority of vehicles proceeding straight on through, even though a full three lanes exist on the other side of the intersection on which traffic can continue.

Not only is this prohibition of vehicles from the right lane a major inconvenience for those attempting to access the gas station, local businesses, and the Victory Road exit which comes up quickly on the right, but it is a travesty of fairness as, once again, it seems the local Dorchester people are forced to limit themselves to two lanes on a three-lane thoroughfare in order to benefit those turning right with free and unhindered access to I-93 south. Adding insult to injury, lately the police have taken to enforcing this ridiculous traffic rule to the tune of $100 a ticket. Judging from the many vehicles I saw pulled over recently, it is proving to be quite a profitable scam.

This "Right Lane Must Turn Right" sign makes absolutely no sense as there never has been a separate turning lane for this maneuver. What would make better sense is either to take down the sign, or redesign the intersection so that those turning right have their own separate lane to do so. Reducing the boulevard traffic to two lanes at this intersection is unfair to the local people and contributes to greater backups along the roadway as people wanting to proceed straight through frantically try to get into the two left lanes in order to avoid a whopping fine. Compounding this, the work on the drawbridge these past two years has made a bad situation a disaster waiting to happen.

What can we do to correct this unfair burden on the people of Dorchester? I would appreciate hearing from you on this matter.

Sincerely,

Doreen Miller

Savin Hill Avenue