Right turns on red now prohibited at the intersection of Monterey’s Holly Street and Commercial Avenue.
The decision follows a move by T-DOT to adjust the intersection’s layout to provide more clearance for turning vehicles. But drivers ignored a new stop line designed to accommodate large trucks. Mayor Alex Garcia said the intersection now a space for near-misses and congestion..
“People are pulling up and turning and causing one heck of a traffic jam,” Garcia said. “And there’s going to be an incident. So our suggestion is to put a no turn on red when you’re turning from Holly onto Commercial.”
The restriction applies specifically to drivers on South Holly heading north and turning onto Commercial. The board clarified that other corners at the intersection will still allow right turns on red.
Questions arose regarding whether the town had the authority to alter signage on a state road. Officials confirmed that while the state owns the road, the municipality manages traffic control measures.
“No, we can do it,” Garcia said. “It’s our traffic control. It’s their road, but it’s. It’s our traffic, so we can. We can put a sign.”
Discussion also turned to parking concerns near the intersection, where diagonal lines mark prohibited areas. Board members noted that drivers frequently ignore these markings and park too close to the corner, creating further hazards.
