THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 13, 1994 TAG: 9407130425
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
The City Council agreed Tuesday to make changes in the widening of South Military Highway that will cost taxpayers an additional $1 million but will satisfy businesses and residents along the thoroughfare.
The council voted 5-3 to alter the plan after Elizabeth River Shores residents rallied for changes. Residents argued that the plan favored businesses across the highway and did not allow for safe entrances and exits to the subdivision, located along the Elizabeth River where the cities of Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Chesapeake converge.
Under the new plan, the two entrances into the neighborhood will be moved and an additional traffic signal will be added at the north entrance. Businesses along the east side of the highway will not lose any of the current access for their customers.
The changes will cost $1,052,663 more than originally budgeted to widen the highway to eight lanes, but the Beach's share, which includes the new traffic signal, will be only $50,000. The cost of the signal will be shared with Drift Tide Condominiums and Tidewater Construction Inc., both located on Military Highway. The Virginia Department of Transportation will pay the remainder of the costs.
Completion could be delayed up to a year by the changes to the project, which has been under way since 1992.
Residents will now gain access to Military Highway at Brockman Avenue and at Dyer Place, with a signal and a right-turn lane added at Brockman. Both new entrances will provide direct access into the neighborhoods. Residents now must turn off Military Highway onto a narrow service road running parallel to the highway. That configuration has created traffic hazards and been the site of several accidents.
The new plan calls for converting the service road into cul-de-sacs.
Businesses on the other side of the highway also will benefit from the compromise.
Council amended the plan to keep the median break in front of Duron Paints and to leave the existing traffic signal in front of the Wayside Motor Inn.
``We're glad we got what we wanted,'' said Cheri Anne Dewberry, president of the Elizabeth River Shores Garden Club. ``We're happy we were finally heard.''
Dewberry helped organize the neighborhood movement to change the project's plans. Last month residents submitted their own plan, which the city then modified.
Some merchants had opposed the residents' plan, which would have limited access to their businesses. Tom Wells, general manager of the Wayside Motor Inn, said the city's decision will not hurt his motel.
``I'm pleased. They never considered two lights until today and they made everybody happy,'' Wells said. ``This will save the city money.''
Council members Nancy K. Parker, Robert K. Dean and Barbara M. Henley voted against the changes. Parker and Henley argued that the additional traffic signal was unnecessary. Councilman William W. Harrison abstained, citing a partnership he holds in one of the businesses located along the highway. Councilmen Louis R. Jones and John D. Moss were absent.
Civic League president John Sadler said he was satisfied with the City Council compromise.
``All of the neighbors are going to realize this is safer,'' Sadler said. ``I think it's going to eliminate problems we have now.''
Mills Johnson, whose house sits at the current north entrance to the neighborhood, has dealt often with tire tracks in his yard.
``Right now it's illegal to park in front of my house because I was blocking the intersection. Now I almost have a private street,'' Johnson said about the cul-de-sacs. ``It'll be like a whole new day for me.'' ILLUSTRATION: STAFF
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