Stripes to stay 'as is' at John Street, Lonsdale Avenue intersection, says DOT

LINCOLN - A crew from the state Department of Transportation was expected back to John Street early this week to repaint the lane markings exactly as they always have been.

Charles St. Martin, spokesman for the DOT, told The Breeze this week the state decided to back off a plan for reconfiguring the "high hazard" Lonsdale Avenue intersection with Front and John streets after hearing complaints from members of Christ Church, which is on the corner.

According to Martin, the town had requested a change in hopes of easing congestion there.

He told The Breeze, "We came up with a change of striping to try to move traffic through there a little better."

The plan was to switch turning patterns by utilizing the shoulder on the northern side of John Street. Cars would have been given a longer queuing lane for left-hand turns.

The request went to the state Traffic Commission where it was approved.

The state had already started grinding out the old lane markings last month when people from Christ Church raised a protest.

The new plan would take away vital parking spaces along John Street for this church that had been established long before cars were in use.

The state backed down and plans were immediately made to restore the lanes.

Church members praised the state's cooperation in agreeing to restore the old lanes.

Town Administrator T. Joseph Almond said a local resident had requested the change, rather than town officials.

Almond said state officials told him they are studying a more comprehensive change to the entire intersection.