New Traffic Pattern for Belle Haven and Belle View Intersections
The National Park Service heard common themes about the Belle Haven and Belle View intersections from the public that included: high-speeds, confusion over who has the right-of-way, struggles to find gaps in traffic, and difficult sight-lines to see northbound vehicles while turning left from the side streets.
In September 2023, the National Park Service implemented a new traffic pattern at both intersections. Here are the differences motorists will notice:
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The innermost northbound lane on the parkway has become a left-turn-only lane approaching each intersection.
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Vehicles from the side streets turning left onto the parkway enter into their own northbound lane.
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Northbound vehicles turning left off of the parkway now yield, as opposed to stop.
Major Safety Issues Addressed:
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Drivers from the side streets turning left onto the parkway no longer need to find a gap in northbound traffic or try to crane their head over their right shoulder to see oncoming vehicles.
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Confusion over who has the right-of-way (drivers on the side street versus drivers turning left off the parkway) is clarified by replacing the existing “stop” for parkway traffic with a “yield” to better indicate that they have the right-of-way.