THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 14, 1994 TAG: 9410130176
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: The Road Warrior
LENGTH: Long : 119 lines
A couple of things to hit on this week.
First, you may have noticed that the signal on Indian River Road at Thompkins Lane, between Lake James Boulevard and the New Centerville Turnpike, is operational. Keep in mind that the signal still needs to be ``fine-tuned'' so traffic patterns may change in the next few weeks because of this.
Second, if you've seen some folks out in their lawn chairs, hanging around some of the heavier intersections - no, they're not drawing or sketching cars. They're taking traffic counts for the Congestion Mitigation for Air Quality (CMAQ) program that's beginning in our area.
Road has mentioned CMAQ often, but for those who haven't a clue, CMAQ is a federally funded project to help protect air quality. Virginia Beach was allotted $2.5 million to hire a consultant to re-time some 133 signals in 20 different corridors. The re-timing is supposed to help make the signals more efficient so folks aren't sitting in idle - spewing out noxious fumes - waiting for a light to change.
Anyway, the first part of CMAQ is now getting under way. Traffic counts have been completed for the Birdneck corridor and parts of the General Booth corridor.
What happens is the consultants have folks go out and do traffic counts and recommend a timing pattern to fit the number of vehicles on a given road.
The timings for the Birdneck and General Booth areas have already been approved and now it's only a matter of punching in the new times.
The Birdneck corridor includes re-timing of the signals from Virginia Beach Boulevard to Laskin Road (and including Norfolk Avenue).
General Booth Boulevard signals will be re-timed from Prosperity Road, Dam Neck Road, Upton Drive and Ruffian Farm Road.
Road will keep you informed as the project continues to hit different corridors. Hopefully, the project will do as intended and provide a welcome respite from long waits at our traffic signals.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Ann Markle, North Ocean Lakes. I'm calling about the signal at Culver Lane and General Booth Boulevard. Coming off Culver onto General Booth the light is very long if you're trying to take a left. I timed it and it's over a minute.
I also wanted to know when construction is going to start on Culver Lane. There's been a trailer sitting on Culver for two months now, and I'm just wondering what it's doing there? Thanks, bye.
RW: Engineers said they'll be happy to take a look at the signal and see if it can be ``tightened'' up a bit.
As for construction on Culver Lane, there are no projects that Road's aware of. Maybe it's a commercial trailer?
Kenny Bucoco, Upton Estates. There seems to be a lot of accidents on Culver Lane and Upton Estates. I was wondering what you could do about it. Thank you.
RW: Engineers are going to pull out the accident reports to see if there has, in fact, been a number of accidents in this area. If that's the case, they'll try and figure out just what the problem is. We'll see.
Dave, no address given. I would like to know who the nincompoop is who changed the traffic flow direction at the intersection of Kellam and Columbus? They have caused more problems with this change. How about it, Road?
RW: Hey, Road's not offering up anyone's head for slaughter! Hee hee. Actually, those changes were scheduled and Road has addressed the change in a previous column.
Road happened down Columbus this past weekend and noticed that although people are slowing down to figure out what's going on, those folks at the stop signs on Kellam seem to be stopping and waiting for Columbus to clear before crossing. It's pretty apparent there's a change in traffic pattern. They must have five or six signs up with orange flags hanging off them. Still, better watch it in that area for a while until folks get used to the new pattern.
Lee Warren, no address given. I'm concerned about the large round, tall aluminum looking columns that I see along the highways. They have a round top and look similar to a crow's nest on an old-time sailing ship. Could they be for an automated radar photo station, taking a license number and mailing you a summons? What do you think, Road Warrior? Let me know.
RW: I think that you shouldn't be giving anyone any ideas, Lee! The crow's nests are for cameras, but they're for HOV cameras. They'll be installed in half-mile increments throughout the HOV system.
Karol, Brigadoon Woods. I live on the cul de sac end on Dalrymple Street. Is there any way we can get this street swept?
There is still probably two tons of sand from last year's ice storm on the road and it just looks terrible. Let me know, thanks!
RW: Road talked to Roy Hale in the Operations Department and he says that the city only has three street sweepers that are charged with sweeping major roads and some parts of the Oceanfront. The sweepers try and make their rounds every 30 days, Hale said.
The only problem is they don't venture into any residential neighborhoods to sweep. Hale said he'd go see just how much sand we're talking about before he made any determination at all. But, the chances of a clean-up are slim.
Sounds like someone needs to find a sandbox that needs to be refilled.
Theresa, no address given. My complaint is when I'm driving home from Suffolk to Virginia Beach, going east. When I get around the I-464 Great Bridge/Greenbrier area, there's a lot of traffic dumping onto the highway right there. I try to get over in the left lane and keep up with traffic so that other people can merge into the highway. Why is it that there's always some idiot behind me that thinks that my going 55 mph isn't good enough?
Why do they feel like they have to climb over my car when I'm trying to let other people on? I don't get it. Thank you, bye.
RW: Inconsideration seems to be the American way, Theresa. At least on the roads and interstates. When someone does something like that to Road, Road usually waves them off. It's just not worth the stress.
Regina, no address given. My beef is also about people not using their turn signals. I got behind a guy who was a delivery truck driver and he didn't use his turn signal. I mean, get with it, guys, that's what they're there for! Bye.
RW: Road is awaiting the day that automobile dealers make signals automatic - when the car moves to the right, the right blinker comes on. If it moves to the left, the left blinker comes on, etc. 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