Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor | Confusing yield sign at intersection near Olympic Village

On 6/5/25 I submitted a letter to Jim Langhelm of the Gig Harbor Public Works Dept. regarding the intersection of Hollycroft and the north entrance to the Olympic Village Shopping Center by the Union 76 station and the Waffle Iron Restaurant.

I requested clarity on the Yield sign posted in the middle of the Gore point facing northbound traffic and the right turn lane (eastbound).

Based on the sign location, vehicles northbound and vehicles making a right turn are required to yield to oncoming vehicle traffic heading into the Olympic Center and vehicles making a left turn on Hollycroft.

The yield sign at the intersection of Hollycroft Drive and the entrance to the Olympic Village shopping center. Photo courtesy Rolf Knuth

The northbound traffic seldom pays any attention to the yield sign, creating the possibility of a conflict with oncoming traffic which doesn’t have any traffic control signs, giving those vehicles the right of way at this intersection. It would seem to me that if a collision occurred at this intersection the City of Gig Harbor may be held as a contributing factor due to the unclear signage.

I even submitted a reference to MUTCD (Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices) section 2B.06 paragraph 09 regarding this sign and photos. I received a return email from Langhelm the same day advising me that he would refer the email to the City Engineer. Almost a month has gone by and the intersection is till in the same state and I’ve never received a return response.
Apparently this is an a non issue to Gig Harbor Public Works even though I’ve narrowly avoided several collisions and have been witness to similar incidents by others.

Does anyone else understand this intersection??

The above letter is only my opinion and a request for the intent of the yield or suggesting that it’s unlawfully placed. After many years of Traffic Enforcement I’m totally confused about the engineering of the mentioned sign.

Rolf Knuth

Gig Harbor

The yield sign at the intersection of Hollycroft Drive and the entrance to the Olympic Village shopping center. Photo courtesy Rolf Knuth