Editor,

At times, different parts of our government impress me and at other times confuse me. Right now I am working on the confused part.

Recently, new traffic lights were installed at the intersection of Highway 20 and Erie Street in Oak Harbor. I think the lights are a little better than the old ones. But I have a problem understanding the engineering of this task.

Traveling south on Highway 20, there are three lanes of traffic at Erie. The right lane can turn right onto Erie or continue south on Highway 20.

The center lane is for southbound traffic only. The left lane is for left turn only onto Erie to get to the bank or other places.

There are three traffic lights, one for each lane of traffic.

At this point, I am not confused. Northbound traffic has two lanes at the intersection.

Left lane is for left turn onto Erie. The right lane can turn right on Erie or continue north. Only two lanes northbound on Highway 20.

Why are there three traffic lights for northbound traffic with only two lanes of traffic?

While installing the new lights, did the crew have a spare light leftover and decide to hang it up rather than throw it away?

Robert D. Brown

Oak Harbor