Flashing yellow-left-turn arrows being added in Vancouver

More traffic signals in the city of Vancouver are being updated with flashing yellow left-turn arrows, according to the Department of Public Works.

The work at 16 intersections began Friday and will take about a month to complete, according to a news release.

Instead of the typical green ball with a “Left Turn Yield on Green” sign, the new signal head will show a flashing yellow arrow to indicate left-turning traffic may proceed after first yielding to oncoming traffic.

Some intersections in Vancouver are already equipped with these flashing yellow left-turn arrow signals, which are becoming more widely used throughout the country.

Work to convert the traffic lights will take place mostly between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. While the signals are being reprogrammed, signals will either be turned off or blink red in all direction. Flaggers will be in place to direct traffic. Some lane closures are possible. Each signal should take a day or less to convert.

Here’s how the upgraded signals work:

Steady green arrow: Proceed with left turn. Drivers and bicyclists making a left turn have a protected turn from oncoming traffic.

Flashing yellow arrow: Proceed with left turn after yielding to oncoming traffic. Oncoming traffic has a green light, so drivers and bicyclists must determine if there is adequate time to turn.

Steady yellow arrow: Prepare to stop. The left-turn signal is about to turn red; prepare to stop or complete the left turn if already within the intersection.

Steady red arrow: Stop. Traffic turning left must stop and wait.

At some intersections, left turn will begin with the green arrow, while at others, the left turn will begin with the flashing yellow arrow.

Here is a list of where the yellow flashing left-turn arrows will be added:

• Northeast 28th Street and Northeast 138th Avenue.

• Northeast 18th Street and Northeast 141st Avenue.

• Northeast 138th Avenue and Northeast 22nd Street.

• East Mill Plain Boulevard and North Devine Road.

• Northeast 136th Avenue and Northeast 4th Street.

• Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard and Northeast 106th Avenue.

• Southeast 34th Street and Southeast 176th Avenue.

• Northeast 28th Street and Northeast 119th Avenue.

• Northeast 28th Street and Northeast 132nd Avenue.

• Northeast 28th Street and Northeast 135th Avenue.

• West Fourth Plain Boulevard and Kauffman Avenue.

• Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard and Northeast 78th Avenue.

• Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard and Thurston Way.

• West Fourth Plain Boulevard and Columbia Street.

• Southeast Ellsworth Road and Southeast 10th Street.

• Northeast 192nd Avenue and Northeast 13th Street.

More information about the flashing yellow left-turn arrow signals, including a handy instruction card, can be found online at www.cityofvancouver.us/SignalsSigns.