The Dumbest Intersection In Rockford

On the list of things to fix in Rockford this probably registers in the triple digits but it's bugged me for awhile and now I have a forum to vent. Bear with me.

Once upon a time Mulford Road ended at Riverside Blvd. If you wanted to go farther north you had to go down to Alpine. Since you could not go straight, there was a double turn lane for when you wanted to turn west onto Riverside. This made sense. It helped alleviate traffic and made the intersection run smoothly. Then about 15 years ago, I'm not exactly sure how long it's been but that sounds about right, they extended Mulford all the way north to Perryville. This was a much needed extension that has honestly improved getting north to Loves and Machesney Park. HOWEVER, they messed up the traffic signals.

Instead of making the double turn lane a single turn lane and making southbound Mulford the same way they just left the double turn lane going northbound and made ANOTHER double turn lane going south.  I made drawings. Before you ask, yes I have the motor skills of a 5 year old.

This made sense. What I drew below doesn't.

 The problem with these turn lanes is that north and southbound each need their own cycle of lights. That means that if you catch a red while driving on Riverside you have to wait 2 light cycles before you can go. This could cost you upwards of 45 seconds. I mean think of what you could be doing with those 45 seconds.

If you're actually still reading this thanks for staying with me and letting me vent. Maybe a civil engineer is reading this and could explain to me how wrong I am (I'm usually wrong.) Until then I'm still on team #MakeAllIntersectionsEqual. Bumper stickers are currently being printed.