THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 3, 1994 TAG: 9406020160
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Road Warrior
DATELINE: 940603 LENGTH: Long
Like how is the light removal at Strickland going to affect Cedar Hill? And, how many lights are going to be on Indian River anyway?
{REST} Road'll try and answer as much as possible.
First, there was another delay from the original delay of the project's opening. It finally opened two weeks ago on a Saturday. So, Road apologizes for any inconvenience this caused. However, you can point your finger at the city for the delay.
OK, as for the light at Strickland Boulevard being removed. It's off and will soon be out of there. Concrete curbing will be erected along what used to be the left turn lane off Indian River onto Strickland. So, turning left there will require a four-wheeler and is not encouraged.
As for the Cedar Hill neighborhood, there will be a price. Those folks coming off Strickland and trying to turn right to get onto Indian River and the Interstate 64 on-ramps are going to have a tough time of it. There'll be no green to guide their way.
This particular right-turn situation isn't likely to change. Folks may want to start looking for a new exit out of the neighborhood and onto Indian River.
Parkland Boulevard, one street up from Strickland and apparently at the new light at Centerville, would probably be an immediate option. But, the city folk aren't encouraging travel through this road.
They're hoping travelers will use Reon to go toward Providence. They're also hoping that folks will take advantage of U-turns to get onto Strickland.
As for the new light at the new Centerville Turnpike and Parkland, there are only double lefts and a right turn arrow, there are no through movements if you're on the new Centerville trying to turn onto Indian River. You can go through from Parkland onto Centerville but you can't go through from Centerville onto Parkland.
Also, there's still some fine tweaking to do on the signal so, be patient. It's not working at its full capacity just yet.
The Indian River Road widening project is about 40 percent complete and scheduled to be finished in late September of this year. The area we speak of includes three new traffic signals: one at Founders Inn, one at Centerville and Parkland and one at Thompkins Lane.
\ SNARLS OF THE WEEK\ The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Mark Tabakin. No Address Given. Now beep this. I'm incensed at the removal of the traffic light at Strickland and Indian River Road! It makes exiting off that street towards Interstate 64 virtually impossible and it has added 30 minutes to my morning ride to work.
Linda French, No Address Given. I just wanted to comment on the expansion at Indian River Road and Centerville Turnpike. The least they could have done was waited until all four lanes were open. Now you're squeezing four lanes into two and then four again. It's gonna be one heck of a mess until they get it all straightened out.
Kay Kingon, Cedar Hill on Strickland Boulevard. We're a major cut through on our street to 64 and I'm very confused by what they're going to do with us.
We have ambulances, school buses, etc., cutting through here. Please help to answer my question. It's going to be quite a nightmare for those of us living on the street itself.
Debbie Rivard, Cedar Hill. How is the opening of the new Centerville Turnpike going to affect the traffic down Strickland Boulevard? Is it all going to move to Parkland Boulevard? If it does, how do the people that live on Parkland feel about the people coming down their street? There are no sidewalks there and that street is not prepared to handle it all. I live off of Strickland and I just wanted to know how this was going to affect our traffic flow.
Vanessa, No Address Given. I want to thank you for straightening out that mess on Centerville Turnpike even though when I drove past there it wasn't open.
Now, could you please straighten out Military Highway, there by Saint Peters Episcopal Church. This has got to be the fourth change they've made since the beginning of school, and I still haven't figured it out.
Do the people coming off that street have to stop for the red? Why don't we have our own light? See what you can do. Love your sound effects.
RW: Hmm. We know almost all of Military Highway is under construction, so Road's tempted to say that this situation could be temporary. Only thing is, Road's not sure exactly what your situation is. Can you give me a hollar back and throw out a few more details?
Rosanne, Rosemont Forest. I was wondering have you noticed how many new lights they're going to be putting on Indian River Road. It seems like too many, especially at the Founders Inn and then a block away from the new Centerville Turnpike. What do you think?
Also, I wanted to let you know that on Tiffany Lane, when you're turning left onto Princess Anne Road, there's a real bad dip when you're turning, almost enough to knock you over on the side. I was wondering if you could have the engineers take a look at that. It's right near TCC if you're coming from the Wendy's turning onto Princess Anne going down towards Kempsville Road.
RW: Apparently the dip you speak of is actually the joining of two roadways where one is higher than the other.
Engineers are aware of exactly where you're talking about and say this dip was most likely designed with the project. However, the reason behind why it was designed that way could be anyone's guess. Could have been a drainage pipe or some other obstacle they had to pave over. Engineers say the dip is safe - within the boundaries of road safety. Just don't lean too far to the left, Rosanne.
Charles Williams, No Address Given. The intersection of Indian River and Kempsville roads is a very busy intersection. It almost seems like as soon as the light goes red, if you're on the green light you've got to count to at least three before you go through the light on green or you're going to get hit by somebody who's decided to run the red light.
I know it's a common problem, but geez, it just seems so sick out there that you actually have to watch yourself when it turns green.
RW: No doubt it's a sad day when a green light doesn't even protect traffic movement. You're doing the right thing, though, and that's taking a few seconds before you gun it on the green. Otherwise, Road doesn't have any answers for this.
by SS