Unveiling the new year on a positive note for drivers, Public Works Director Charles Herbertson is proposing that always-helpful left-turn signals be installed at seven intersections in Culver City.

Spurred by a grant from Sacramento in the name of the state’s highway safety-improvement program, he said two left-turn additions potentially are controversial.

One installation will be at the hyper-busy corner of south-bound Duquesne where it intersects with Jefferson.

“We will make that a double left turn instead of a single left,” Mr. Herbertson said. “This will increase the intersection’s capacity, especially in the late afternoon when a lot of cars are backed up.”

Mr. Herbertson labeled the plan a safety move “that will improve pedestrian safety.

“Some folks, though, are concerned because we are proposing to remove the easterly crosswalk. We are doing that because when we put in the left-turn signal, there will be a (major) delay if we leave it in.”

Critics say removal especially would inconvenience those who daily hike up the Scenic Overlook.

The city’s response is that walkers can go to Hetzler Road and cross Jefferson there.

“You actually have to have a separate phase for the crosswalk,” Mr. Herbertson explained. “We studied that, and we determined that the amount of delay – after folks press the button – would be unacceptable.”

Meanwhile, the westerly crosswalk at the Jefferson-Duquesne will remain. It will provide convenient passage for visitors to the various levels of Culver City Park.

Another likely-to-be-debated left-turn signal will be installed at Jordan Way, Mr. Herbertson said, “to remove some vehicle conflict.”

Public Works’ proposals are expected to go before the City Council at its Jan. 24 meeting.