OMG 10/12/2013

:-)

I noticed today that the middle of the entire causeway is marked with cones. I'm assuming that is in place so they can move the cones over and have three lanes available to exit. If that works out they need to install overhead lights with arrows marking the open lanes so that they can change the traffic pattern with a flip of a switch.

I also saw cones and temporary lights marking grass areas next to the causeway, possibly marking entry points to grass parking. Another monster crowd this Sat? Maybe not because of the weather, but they look like they are ready.

How many hundreds of cars are in the parking lot needlessly due to a lack of shuttle service from Breakers Express & Castaway Bay? Subcontract a shuttle service from those properties to the park on busy days. Low overhead, requires no infrastructure improvements or initial outlay and would be flexible enough to scale back or eliminate on short notice as weather dictates. Partner with Lyman Harbor or the Pony for park & ride or dinner and a shuttle packages (with an appropriate access fee).

Lease space in the city for a low cost park & ride for locals or encourage carpooling by knocking 1/2 off the parking fee for a full vehicle. Add CP marina as a stop on the Goodtime's booze cruise route & keep a few more cars off the peninsula.

Alternately, add parking to the West of the overflow area immediately adjacent to the toll booths & inside the breakwater. High initial expense, but a safer and simper alternative to the grassy areas farther down the causeway. Its not wetland or protected nor is it navigable meaning less permit interference from either the state or the coast guard.

Plenty of low cost, minimal outlay possibilities to alleviate the problem that has actual practicality, instead of the unworkable 'take a ferry from the airport' suggestions.

I just dropped my son off at a friend's house. They had attempted to go last Saturday but when traffic was backed up to the turn by the condos on the chausee and after 1 hour thy still had not gotten maybe even half way down the road they decided to turn back and call their teenage son and tell him and his friends to not bother going either.

Pete said:
I noticed today that the middle of the entire causeway is marked with cones. I'm assuming that is in place so they can move the cones over and have three lanes available to exit. If that works out they need to install overhead lights with arrows marking the open lanes so that they can change the traffic pattern with a flip of a switch.

But if the accounts of the causeway not being the issue what does a three lane exit road do to eliminate the bottleneck at the parking lot itself?

We don't really know what the issue was, it could the problem was emptying multiple parking lot exits into only two lanes.

But unless they've altered something by the toll booths, there are still only two lanes for people to get from the park side to the causeway side of the toll booths. In my experience, things are always pretty free flowing on the causeway itself, but getting to the causeway is the challenge.

I could see a scenario where they use a hypothetical third lane on the left to direct most of the main lot into, keep the middle lane for Soak City lot to exit, and the far right lane for the overflow bay side lot. Seems like that would at least keep all the lots flowing outward.

We were in the front parking lot on Sunday and when we were leaving I noticed on the east side of the lot they had a big lighted sign saying exit with an arrow. I don't know if that's new there in trying to have guest realize they can exit that way instead of everyone heading to the west lane out.

They also had guys with lighted sticks directing traffic at the very far east exit and judging by how few cars were going through I'm guessing lots of people have no clue it's there. Of course they tend to keep it closed alot so maybe they'll stop closing it so more people use it. That's always the first way I head to get out. I'm always bummed when it's closed. There was also a sign on Cedar Point Rd telling what your options were for turning left before you get up to the green direction sign.