Politics & Government

Oft-Ignored 'No Right Turn' Sign Will Be Modified

Right turn onto Potomac Avenue from Target parking lot will soon be legal for passenger vehicles.

The “No Right Turn” sign behind Target at Potomac Yard Shopping Center—the one often ignored by shoppers exiting onto Potomac Avenue in their cars—is being modified.

Alexandria’s Traffic and Parking Board moved Monday to change the sign to one prohibiting only trucks from making the right-hand turn from the southern end of the shopping center onto Potomac Avenue.

After receiving citizen requests to investigate the intersection, city staff observed more than 70 percent of vehicles using the exit violated the sign.

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Monday’s decision effectively legalizes the predominant use of the intersection.

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The sign predates the opening of Potomac Avenue when the area behind the shopping center served as a truck turnaround area for Target deliveries. Because the design of the exit was focused on trucks turning around to access the loading docks, it is not possible for large vehicles to turn right onto Potomac Avenue.

Passenger vehicles can make the right-hand turn safely—something motorists quickly discovered after Potomac Avenue opened to traffic in October 2011.

The exit remains one-way, as westbound vehicles on Potomac Avenue are prohibited from turning left into the shopping center at the intersection.

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