@Daily User - do you agree that this is a VERY bad area for traffic congestion? I don't doubt that you may not be able to turn out of the Navajo dr (by Denny's) and get into the turn lane. You may need to go north a bit and take Benson Dr. to St. Albans, then turn RIGHT from St. Albans onto Wake Forest. I'm not saying this is convenient for your specific issue, but it would be necessary if traffic guidance stanchions were installed.

I've referred this to our Public Works Department. When the staff has had a chance to respond I’ll post an update. Thanks for reporting.

I'd like to note that when traveling SOUTH on Wake Forest Rd, as the road widens into a turn lane configuration, it is clearly marked as to which lane is for I-440 East. This marking begins roughly as you pass the entrance to Bahama Breeze (3309 Wake Forest Rd). Unfortunately, these markings are totally ignored! As a minimum, the second lane from the left (the one that is NOT intended for the left turn onto I-440 and is only intended for through traffic) should be painted/marked with something that says 'No Left Turn' or 'No I-440 Access This Lane'. This may be a quick and easy solution, but I still think that adding vertical stanchions would be the best approach to guide the traffic.

As a daily user, i have never seen an accident at the location being discussed. I am not saying that it never happens, just don't see it. I admit there is some congestion, however i do not think putting up barriers will resolve the congestion, but would only cause the congestion in the far left lane to be backed up further on wake forrest since everyone exiting Navaho would have to go the back way and get in the far left lane that is already backed up to that point. I think it would also cause more congestion for the back streets trying to get out to navaho.
In addition, other than the cars that move from the center lane to the second turn lane, that lane is seldom used. Daily once i can get into the middle lane, i can easily access the turn lane from the center lane because no one uses it. As for cars not expecting to have to slow down in the middle lane, I would hope that we each have control of our cars, especially in a easy to see congested intersection. Not trying to argue, just different opinion. Probably best if the option center lane was a turn left lane only, with only one lane as a straight through lane.

@DailyUser - please review the lane configurations again. I think you may be confused. There are 4 lanes southbound. THREE are currently marked for through traffic. ONE is marked as I-440 access (both via painting on the roadway and an overhead sign at Navajo Dr intersection). Not sure what you mean about middle lane and center lane. Right at the I-440 interchange, there are TWO left turn lanes and THREE through lanes for South Wake Forest Rd. The problem that I point out is that people begin to queue as if they expect that both left lanes (in the 4 lane configuration) south of Navajo drive are available for access to I-440 when in fact only one left lane (centermost lane) is available. Once you pass down the single I-440 access lane, it widens into two left turn lanes PAST the traffic signal at Wake Forest/I-440 (again, as you travel south). Prior to this signal, the three lanes on the right are only for Wake Forest Rd south traffic and the 1 additional left lane is for accessing I-440.

I also use this area daily, and have for the last 14 years. I have seen many accidents here and would really be surprised if you have not seen accidents here during evening rush hour (1630 - 1830). That 'far left lane' that you refer to in your post is the ONLY lane available and marked for I-440 access. If you are using any other lane, then you are contributing to the exact problem that I am posting about.

I have been in the area about 8 years, wonder if our offices are next to each other? I honestly have not witnessed any accidents, but i am sure the city has all those reports to substantiate your claim so no need to depend on my memory.

I concede you are correct about the number of lanes. I do concede that the signage designates only the far left lane as 440 only. I will also concede that if you are not in the far left lane, you may be inconvenienced by having to slow down for guilty drivers such as my self as we veer over into the turn lane ( under the 440 overpass), a lane that is rarely used by drivers other than those like myself who have almost no chance of getting in the far left lane from navaho and even if we take the back way, it would be difficult to get into the "440 only" lane.

Maybe the solution is to change the left straight through lane into a turn lane, making two turn lanes to 440 and two straight through lanes? May not be convenient, but safer if that is a valid issue.

As i said before, not trying to argue, just a different perspective for the city to take into consideration. Will wait to hear from the city.
Thanks for the dialogue.

Sorry for the substantial delay in responding to this post. A number of See Click Fix issues have been lost in the system and are just now being recovered. Our apologies for letting this one sit for so long!

This road is maintained by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. NCDOT does not track See, Click, Fix inquiries. If you'd like to follow up on this issue with them, please use this contact information: https://apps.dot.state.nc.us/ContactUS/PostComment.aspx?Unit=Division_5

Thanks COR for confirming. I will try the approach you have suggested.