Confusion over Street Striping on Solano at Colusa

Street markings added to the intersection of Solano and Colusa avenues in North Berkeley's Thousand Oaks neighborhood have provoked some online complaints.

The city painted a large crescent shape – outlined in white and containing white stripes – on Solano at the intersection. The crescent appears intended to define the right-turn lane for eastbound traffic on Solano that is turning right (south) onto Colusa.

One problem is that westbound traffic on Solano wanting to turn left (south) on Colusa has to drive over the striped crescent. One question is whether driving over a striped white crescent is allowable.

One commenter in a private neighborhood discussion group complained that the new markings mean that westbound drivers on Solano can no longer turn left onto Colusa, though a number of drivers continue to do so. Another commenter said the new striping is confusing and that the city should put up signs indicating that left turns off Solano are no longer allowed.

A Patch visit to the intersection Thursday found no clear indication of whether the new striping means that westbound drivers on Solano by can or cannot turn left onto Colusa.

Two commenters also complained that northbound vehicles on Colusa have a difficult time making a tight turn left onto Solano. One said that the parking spaces and bike racks in the street just west of the curb bulb-out in front of Peet's make the turn more difficult, and another said cars have to cut into the crosswalk to make the turn.

Patch has requested comment from planners in the Berkeley transportation division.