Which condition best describes the impact of a roadway divided by a median on commercial property values?

• A. They are worth less
• B. They are worth more
• C. They are unaffected
• D. The effect is unpredictable

Answer: (A)

Access is a primary driver of commercial land value, and a roadway divided by a median changes how easily a property can be reached and how attractive it is to customers. When the road is split, direct ingress and egress to parcels on either side are restricted, left-turn opportunities are more limited, and drivers may have to travel farther or use cross streets to reach the site. That reduces convenience, visibility, and the ease of deliveries, which typically lowers a property's marketability and value relative to similar parcels with unbroken access. Despite potential safety benefits from a median, for most commercial uses the net effect is a worth-down adjustment, making the parcels worth less.