Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 26, 1990 TAG: 9004260709
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
First Street between Campbell and Salem avenues has been converted to a two-way street so motorists can travel north by way of the First Street bridge. First Street has been a one-way, southbound street.
The change has been made as a part of a plan for handling traffic after the Jefferson Street leg of the Hunter Viaduct is closed next week to provide the site for the Dominion Tower.
City street crews have installed a new traffic light at First Street and Salem Avenue to accommodate the two-way traffic. Pavement markings were completed Wednesday night before the one-block section was opened to two-way traffic.
William Clark, city public works director, said the First Street bridge has a 4-ton weight limit. Large trucks won't be able to cross it.
The viaduct leg will be closed to traffic on May 4 at 6 p. m. Signs have been posted on the viaduct to alert motorists to the closing date.
Construction on the 20-story office building at Jefferson Street and Salem Avenue will begin during the second week in May.
The Williamson Road portion of the viaduct will remain open.
City street and traffic crews will be working in the next week to make all of the changes in traffic signals, signs and pavementmarkings that will be needed to accommodate traffic.
City officials have suggested that motorists begin familiarizing themselves with the traffic changes so they will be prepared when the viaduct is closed.
City traffic engineers have developed an interim plan for traffic until a proposed inner-loop road system for downtown is finished in 1992 and a new bridge is built across the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks at Second Street Southwest.
The plan is designed to help speed traffic in and out of downtown during morning and afternoon rush hours after the leg is razed. Other features of the plan are:
Conversion of Jefferson Street between Salem and Norfolk avenues into a two-way street.
Creating two left-turn lanes from eastbound Campbell Avenue at northbound Williamson Road to speed the flow of afternoon rush-hour traffic out of downtown. Parking will be prohibited between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on the north side of Campbell in the block between the City Market and Williamson Road.
Eliminating the left turn from northbound Williamson Road to Salem Avenue and closing the median crossover at this intersection. This will allow continuous traffic flow northbound and southbound on Williamson Road and allow southbound right turns onto Salem Avenue.
Developer Henry Faison had hoped to start construction on the building in January, but it took attorneys longer than anticipated to draft the legal documents that were required for the project because the city will own a six-level parking garage within the building.
by CNB