Maricopa will prohibit U-turns at most intersections along John Wayne Parkway by the end of September, according to InMaricopa. The restriction will apply to the four-mile stretch from Cobblestone Farms Drive to Sonoran Desert Parkway.
Hathaway Avenue will be the exception, since the city says it provides limited access to nearby shopping centers. Drivers who currently rely on U-turns in the corridor will need to find another intersection or take a different route.
The city says the change is intended to reduce traffic conflicts and crashes while also helping vehicles move more efficiently. Traffic Engineer Monir Zaman said U-turns take extra time and require drivers to cross several lanes before safely clearing the intersection.
The restriction comes out of the city’s Traffic Safety Task Force, which reviews traffic concerns and possible improvements. Maricopa says it will watch traffic patterns and crash data after the change to see whether more safety measures are needed.
