Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 26, 1995 TAG: 9501260092
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
Tony Nicolo, NRCC's director of facilities and environmental services, suggested a reduction in speed limits at the entrance on the southeast side of the campus at the interchange of U.S. 11 and Virginia 100.
Traffic coming off the Virginia 100 ramp is accelerating to 55 mph going south, he said, as is traffic from the town of Dublin on U.S. 11. Northbound traffic from the direction of Pulaski is decelerating from 55 to 35 mph.
``This setup causes much congestion and confusion, particularly during rush hour,'' Nicolo said in a letter to the county Board of Supervisors. ``The vehicle operators who are trying to exit the campus are forced to calculate the accelerating traffic in the southbound lane while calculating the decelerating traffic in the northbound lane.''
Another factor, he said, is ``the frustration for a vehicle or several vehicles trying to turn onto the campus from the northbound lane.''
Nicolo suggested slowing southbound traffic to 35 mph until it passes the campus entrance, and putting a stop sign at the off ramp of Virginia 100.
``These two measures would have a positive impact on the traffic flow,'' he said. He also suggested channeling northbound traffic into the right lane.
The area does not qualify for a signal light or turning lane according to a department review, said Assistant Resident Engineer John Thompson.
Thompson said most accidents that happened took place on the ramp, and that ``Yield'' or ``No left turn'' signs on the ramp might help.
NRCC President Ed Barnes has said there is no other logical entry point to the campus in that area.
``In any given semester, between 3,500 and 4,000 students are enrolled at NRCC,'' Barnes said in a letter last year to county officials. ``With an enrollment this high, the traffic at both entrances to the college is extremely heavy at times. Both students and staff have complained frequently of near-accidents at the Route 11 entrance. While we have not yet experienced a serious mishap, I would like to go on record in expressing my own serious safety concerns about the Route 11 entrance."
Barnes expressed his appreciation to county officials for trying to help solve the traffic problem.
by CNB