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Bloomington To Eliminate Right Turns On Red At Most Downtown Intersections

Most downtown intersections will restrict turning right on red.
Most downtown intersections will restrict turning right on red.

Bloomington is restricting drivers from turning right at red lights at least 75 downtown intersections.

The city council unanimously passed the legislation Wednesday night.

The project will add between 75-90 'No Turn On Red' signs at intersections downtown and near IU's campus.

READ MORE:  Traffic Proposal Adds More 'No Turn On Red' Signs At Downtown Bloomington Intersections

Councilmember Kate Rosenbarger says the measure will increase safety for bikers and pedestrians.

"If you're trying to cross the street when you have an arrow [as a pedestrian], that means somebody with a green light can turn right into you, and that also means somebody can be turning right on red into you," said councilmember Kate Rosenbarger, one of the bill's sponsors. 

Rosenbarger said that by eliminating right turns on red, it stops traffic from at least one direction to give pedestrians a clear path.

"Inherently, a car is less safe than a pedestrian and you have to be licensed to be car drive," said councilmember Steve Volan. "So, I think the onus is on the car driver to be more careful."

The city's Board of Public Works has estimated the project will cost somewhere between $7,500-9,000 to install the new signage. 

The city council unanimously passed the legislation.  

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Ethan Burks is a multimedia reporter for WTIU/WFIU News. He focuses on the issues that concern the city of Bloomington in his work for City Limits and he anchors WTIU Newsbreaks. Before coming to Bloomington, Ethan worked at KOMU in Columbia, Mo.