How Safe Are J-Turns?

Recently, another accident took a young life at a dangerous interstates intersection. Our prayers go out to all those who are mourning this tragedy. For years, families and friends who suffer the loss of a loved one to this perilous cross-over, have lobbied for the installation of an over pass. This intersection has a popular truck stop where big rigs frequent at all hours of the day and night. This intersection is also on the route to schools and shopping within Centreville, Md. The Maryland Transportation Authority reports that it is starting planned construction of a "J-turn" to be placed at this intersection. Recent reports from this agency quotes an 80% reduction in accidents where these are installed. Am I The Only One Who Sees This? I know I'm not! First, after so many deaths at this site, can you really put a price on the loss of life that has occurred at this intersection? Apparently, our state has a number in mind, because they have decided to install a much cheaper alternative to an overpass. Second, a J-turn, requires the driver to turn right and within a short distance, merge left across 2 lanes of traffic to access the J Turn, then merge right across another 2 lanes to make the turn onto their designated path. Oh yeah, that's safer! Not! Big rigs travelling south, will need to make a U-turn. This will cause them to block all lanes while they complete their turn. Does anybody else see the waste of money and time this solution creates? Eventually, an overpass will be approved after the money is spent on a failing J-turn project. How many J-turns do you see on the Western Shore? Get real! Use some common sense!