Red light rage: the 5 worst un-synched streets in Charlotte

What’s more frustrating than idling at a red light when there are no other cars even at the intersection? It’s just you. Waiting.

If you’re like me, the same thought runs through your head every time: They must have a group of chimpanzees setting the traffic light sequence.

CareerBuilder Chimps http://t.co/1YcY4ofqOR

— Black Falcon #2 (@Tyronne_A) May 16, 2013

Getting a string of green lights in Charlotte means one of two things: either you’re lucky or you’re speeding.

Or, you can be smart and avoid the frustration altogether. Here are the 5 worst stretches of un-synched traffic lights in the Queen City:

(1) E. Stonewall Street (S. McDowell to Mint Street): There are 8 traffic lights spanning 0.9 miles. Whether you put the pedal to the metal or drive the posted limit, you will hit all of them red … no matter the time of day. Mind-numbing.

(2) Fairview Road (Sharon Road to Park Road): With 6 traffic lights spanning 1.1 miles, a hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu would take less time. The best way to endure this pain is to just accept that it will take 15 minutes or more. It is much less frustrating that way.

South Park traffic. #clttraffic #whatelseisnew

— AJ Maul (@effingAJmaul) April 1, 2015

(3) South Boulevard (E. Morehead to Scaleybark Road): Taking you through the burgeoning South End, there are 12 traffic lights over 2.6 miles. Setting the light sequence to accommodate cars travelling at 28 mph would save at least 15-20 minutes each way, reduce accidents and lower blood pressures.

(4) Charlottetowne Avenue (E. 7th Street to E. Stonewall Street): This old extension of Independence Boulevard, with 7 traffic lights covering 0.8 miles, is as dysfunctional as a session of Congress.

(5) E. Woodlawn Road/Billy Graham Parkway (Park Road to Morris Field Drive): In a hurry to catch a flight at Charlotte-Douglas International? You won’t get much help navigating through these 9 traffic lights over 5.8 miles. Even though half of this route is a parkway with a posted speed limit of 55 mph, you are merely just racing to the next red light.

Photos: Davie Hinshaw, Mark Hames, Charlotte Observer file photos

This story was originally published April 8, 2015 at 3:22 PM with the headline "Red light rage: the 5 worst un-synched streets in Charlotte."