Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 28, 1994 TAG: 9404280201
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WALTON LENGTH: Medium
The road, which runs from U.S. 11 over to Peppers Ferry Road [Virginia 114], is now the quickest way for many commuters to get to their morning shift at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant or their afternoon classes in Radford.
"I don't like it. It's a mess," said Greg McCoy, who lives right next to Crab Creek and a stone's throw from where he was born and raised.
"It used to be a real quiet place down here," he said as a car pulls to the side to let another across the one-lane bridge spanning the stream.
"They come in bunches," he said. The traffic makes it hard to get out of his driveway at times.
Bob Adams who lives on the Plum Creek end of Walton Road - and right next to one of its sharp curves - had the same gripe. The retired Virginia State Police trooper said he used to meet five or six cars between his place and Virginia 114 on the other end. Now, that many pass by in a minute during the morning and evening "rush hour," the flow split equally in both directions.
Sometimes cars back up from U.S. 11, around the curve, and in front of his place. One missed the curve and wound up in the creek last Friday, he said.
McCoy said he expects to see the same thing happen in front of his place.
Agnes Nunley, who's lived on the road for 47 years, said some folks drive too fast for Walton Road, where a few curves are posted for 15 mph. "A lot of people that drive on the road aren't used to this," she said, pausing to stir some gravy on her stove.
Tuesday afternoon, a car, two pickups, a woman in a red convertible and a couple of motorcyclists were among the clumps of commuters. Some navigated more skillfully than others along the narrow road that is bracketed by redbud, parked vehicles, occasional washouts and, at one point, the spent remains of two warning flares on the practically nonexistent shoulder.
Within 10 minutes, more than 60 vehicles passed over the rail crossing near Crab Creek.
On the other end of the road, a Montgomery County deputy parked next to a church eyed the traffic.
Harold Witt sprinted back to his side of the road from his mailbox, right before two vehicles zoomed around the blind curve at the end of his driveway. He lives not too far from where the road straightens out and meets Virginia 114.
"It's a little trickier than usual," he said.
Even without the detouring traffic, Witt, McCoy and others think there ought to be a traffic light where Walton Road joins Virginia 114 , the site of several fatal wrecks. "It's a busy intersection," Witt said. "It's very dangerous."
With the heavier traffic load, it's not unusual for a dozen or more vehicles to be waiting to turn onto 114 from Walton.
The Virginia Department of Transportation already has limited traffic to vehicles with three axles or fewer, so tractor-trailers are supposed to go around.
Some Walton Road residents have heard rumors that VDOT might close the road to commuters. But McCoy said that would just move the problem to Vicker Road, instead.
Meanwhile, he and other Walton Road dwellers hope no one wrecks on their once-quiet road.
by CNB