I agree, I ususally wait 2 or 3 lights to turn. Sometiems it is even quicker to go straight turn left into McDonalds and come out on Germantown through Genuardis shopping center. If I do that I still see the same people waiting at the turn light.

Is this happening during the morning or evening rush? Northbound, southbound, both directions? More details please.

It happens during both morning and evening rush. The light is typically the same duration for northbound and southbound left turners (although I have noticed they do deviate on rare occasions) , but the volume of northbound cars turning left onto West Germantown Pike is consistently less than the volume of southbound cars turning left onto East Germantown Pike. At peak times, the line to turn left does exceed 20-25 cars (with 7 or 8 getting through in one cycle)

Instead of waiting for the left turn arrow, sometimes I go straight on Dekalb and turn left at the next light where Wachovia Bank is located and cut through Northtowne Plaza and come out to Germantown Pike where Starbucks is located and turn right onto Germantown Pike. Obviously the problem is a lot of people are headed to the Turnpike and 476 so they are turning left from Dekalb onto Germantown Pike.

If the problem is a lot of people trying to get to the TPK, I wonder if there shouldn't be an EZPass Only compact slip ramp to Tpk South at the 202 overpass further back. just a thought.

A ramp to the turnpike from 202 would be perfect. Turnpike goers would be thrilled.