Matthew from Denver writes, “What's driving you crazy? On Broadway approaching 9th, the bus lane is the right lane and many people stay in the right non-bus lane to make a right into 8th to go west. Some people use the bus lane on Broadway before 9th to continue straight to make the right into 8th. The sign at 9th shows arrows for both straight and also right turn, but does this only apply to buses? The sign on 8th specifies buses only but the sign on 9th does not say buses only. I say, it is OK to use the bus lane before 9th to continue straight to turn on 8th while my wife says it is a bus lane only and I must wait until after I pass 9th to get into the turn lane. Who is correct? I see a lot of people who use the bus lane before 9th get the horn and finger.”
I love answering questions that settle an argument like this. The winner of the argument is... your wife.
Denver police and Denver Public Works say that right lane on southbound Broadway is always a bus lane unless you are turning right at the next light. Even though the sign with the forward and right turn arrow right above 9th Avenue looks like a non-bus driver could continue south to 8th Avenue, you are supposed to turn at 9th Avenue. That forward arrow is for the buses and not for other traffic.
MORE: Read more traffic issues driving people crazy
If you want to turn right on 8th Avenue, you are supposed to wait to move over until you pass 9th Avenue. If you look closely, you will notice that the bus lane then splits into a bus/right turn only lane at 8th Avenue to accommodate that traffic. Another sign to look out for is the large bus only sign with two yellow blinking lights half way between 10th and 9th Avenue. That indicates that the lane is always a bus lane except if you are turning right at 9th Avenue.
While I can’t help you with the behavior of other drivers who will continue to illegally drive in the bus lane, I am glad I could settle the feud between you and your wife even though it isn’t the answer you wanted.
Denver7 traffic anchor Jayson Luber says he has been covering Denver-metro traffic since Ben-Hur was driving a chariot. (We believe the actual number is over 20 years.) He's obsessed with letting viewers know what's happening on their drive and the best way to avoid the problems that spring up. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or listen to his Driving You Crazy podcast on iTunes , Stitcher , Google Play or Podbean.
