Navigating Lubbock's Complex Intersection: Tips For Drivers

I believe that I live near the most confusing intersection in Lubbock.

Not only do I constantly see broken glass and random car parts left behind at this intersection, I also frequently see drivers ignoring signs, forgetting basic road courtesy, and even heading the wrong direction on one-way streets.

Although it seems like most of the crashes are just fender benders, people have been seriously hurt and even killed there as well.

Yes, it’s that bad.

Have a peek at this bad boy, then let’s talk.

This Lubbock Intersection Has A Lot Going On

It’s a little hard to really dig down and see everything that’s happening here from just a picture, but this intersection is a lot to process.

You have four stop signs, four two-lane one-way streets, two sections of traffic coming off interstate ramps, and two sections of traffic heading toward interstate ramps.

That’s a whole lot of decisions happening in a very small amount of space.

I really wish there was a simple solution here. In the time I’ve lived nearby, they’ve added flashing lights to the stop signs. Then they added even more flashing lights in an effort to get people to slow down and pay attention.

For a while, we were under the impression that eventually this spot would get full traffic signals. I’m actually not sure that would help. In fact, I’m starting to believe traffic lights might somehow make this whole thing even more confusing.

More Traffic Means Even More Challenges

Things have become even trickier over the last few years.

A truck wash was added along the I-27 access road heading north, and just this year a convenience store opened in the same area. That means even more vehicles, including big trucks, are entering and exiting an already complicated traffic situation.

It’s just a lot happening in one spot.

I wish I was a wizard, a traffic engineer, or both, because I’d love to know what the fix is. Maybe there’s an obvious answer I’m missing, but from where I’m sitting it just feels like too much squeezed too close together.

Until someone figures it out, if you make it over to this area, slow down, trust the signs, and pay close attention to what the drivers around you are doing.

Unfortunately, not everybody else is.