THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 1, 1994 TAG: 9406300195
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: The Road Warrior
LENGTH: Long : 123 lines
Talk about power of the people.
There have been at least two neighborhood groups that have raised a ruckus about recent road projects and the impact on their neighborhoods.
The first you'll probably remember well, and that was the folks of Pembroke Manor, who, through a series of meetings, successfully talked the city engineers into closing Constitution Drive to 20,000 drivers.
Then there are the folks over at Cedar Hill who are currently campaigning to get the stoplight at Strickland Boulevard and Indian River reinstated so that they can exit and enter their neighborhood without major hassles.
Now, the folks of Elizabeth River Shores on Military Highway have decided to make their views known about a light at the Wayside Inn. The light, already erected, was scheduled to be left where it is as part of the widening of Military Highway to an eight-lane divided highway from just past the Norfolk city limits to Indian River Road, and a six-lane divided highway from Indian River Road to the Chesapeake city line.
The Elizabeth River Shores folks decided that they want that light relocated to Brockman Avenue so that they may exit and enter their neighborhood gracefully. They also want to have an additional median break at Dyer Place.
These changes could mean more money and more time spent in construction because of a revamping of the space between median breaks, not to mention the moving of the signal light.
Problem is, this project's been in the works (as in literally being constructed) since 1992. It's scheduled to be finished by June 1, 1995.
Now that the residents are voicing their concerns, there's no telling what'll happen or when it'll be finished.
The city has agreed to hold a public meeting on the topic of moving the light and changing the median breaks on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Woodstock Elementary School.
Hand-delivered notices were given to businesses and property owners on both the east and west sides of Military Highway. According to John Herzke, the city traffic engineer, ``the city wants as many people out there as possible'' so that they can hear from both sides, residents and businesses.
After the meeting, the issue will go back to City Council with possible options and potential costs. We'll see what happens then.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Roberta Bernardini, Fairfield Forest. Could somebody please check the directional arrows that have just been painted at the corner of Lord Dunmore and Providence, leading from Lord Dunmore onto Providence?
The original arrows painted are different from what the men painted. What they did was they made the right lane straight ahead and right and the left lane is only a left lane.
If you go up to the Fairfield and Providence shopping centers the right lane is a right turn only and the left lane is straight and left.
Again, if you look at the road, the men who did the white lines did not follow what was put there originally.
This is backing up the traffic on Lord Dunmore and it would really help if they would just make the right lane a right turn. Thanks so much. Bye bye.
RW: Even though the arrows were laid differently this time, word is they're right.
The city is moving away from providing left turns and straight lanes together. Instead, they're installing right turns and straight lanes together with a separate left turn lane.
The reason they're doing this is because of safety. It's been proven that when the left turn lane and straight lane are together the person waiting behind the left turner has a tendency to pull to the right to pass the left turner, meaning the folks on the other side going straight or turning, are in jeopardy because they can't see the person pull out to pass.
There are some areas where this won't work, but the majority of the intersections will be re-striped this way when their time comes.
Granted, it's harder for right turners to flush out, but that's the cost for safety.
M.E. Harper, no address given. There is a problem by South Boulevard by the YMCA with the overgrowth of weeds so that you can't see when you're making a left turn.
RW: Road passed this on to engineers and they're going to send someone out to investigate.
Bill Riley, no address given. I'm calling this time about London Bridge Road, the extension after the four lanes that go around behind Oceana.
It's a mess and needs some work. What's the city going to do about it?
RW: The four lanes of London Bridge go south of Dam Neck, not behind Oceana. Or is Road losing it? Can you be more specific, Bill?
Mrs. Jones, Strawbridge. Two concerns: One is the left turn from London Bridge Road onto Dam Neck going toward the Farmers Market. At best it's only four to five seconds long and the second car cannot even make it through the light without the light turning yellow. And it's almost impossible to make a left turn there on the green because you can't see the oncoming traffic until you're out in the intersection and the traffic's almost on top of you.
The second concern is the speed on London Bridge Road in that new section. I don't think anybody drives 55, and I was wondering if we might be able to get better enforcement of that speed limit, especially around that shopping center and the Strawbridge development.
It's very difficult to get out of the development and out of the shopping center. A light there might help, too. Thank you.
RW: The accident studies are showing no major problems in that area, which means there aren't many folks running that light and causing accidents, etc. Although the light's coordination could be a bit off, it isn't likely that it's only four to five seconds long. Road's not doubting your word, just suggesting that maybe it seems like such a short time because people aren't paying attention to the signal.
Anyway, as for protection from speeders, you'll need to give your local precinct a call and see if they'll put an officer in the area.
Ken Wilson, no address given. Recently on Princess Anne Road, on Tiffany Lane, three signs went up saying, ``No right on red allowed Monday through Friday, 4 to 6 p.m.'' Why did these signs go up? I think it's stupid. If you could call me back or investigate this. Thanks.
RW: The sign, on Princess Anne Road turning onto Tiffany Lane, was erected because there were so many right turners that folks in the 7-Eleven and shopping center weren't getting a break to get out. Basically the sign is there to create more gaps between turners. MEMO: Tell the Road Warrior about your motoring problems. Get 'em off your
chest. Call on Infoline, at 640-5555. After a brief message, dial ROAD
(7623). When directed, press 1 to deliver your message, and 1 again to
sign off.
Or, write: The Road Warrior, Virginia Beach Beacon, 4565 Virginia
Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, Va. 23462.
Don't forget to include your name, address and neighborhood.
by CNB