Why is the left turn lane being eliminated at S.R. 161 westbound into Strawberry Farms?
The left turn lane is being eliminated for safety reasons. The new flyover ramp that takes traffic from I-270 northbound to S.R. 161 westbound is putting an average of 8,200 vehicles a day (traveling at freeway speeds) much closer to the Strawberry Farms intersection. Before this project began, traffic exiting from I-270 northbound to S.R. 161 westbound had 2,903 feet to merge with S.R. 161 westbound traffic and get into the Strawberry Farms left turn lane. The new ramp placement now gives motorists less than 1,657 feet to make that maneuver. That distance is even shorter when you consider that you would only have 1,213 feet to get into the beginning of the left turn lane. Some residents of Strawberry Farms have expressed concern with the safety of this maneuver. ODOT agrees there would be a safety issue if the turn lane remained open. A u-turn will be constructed just before the Alum Creek Bridge to allow passenger vehicles to flip around and enter Strawberry Farms via the eastbound l
