THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 28, 1994 TAG: 9410270190
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: THE ROAD WARRIOR
LENGTH: Long : 119 lines
Hardly a day goes by without someone, whether it be family or foe, approaching Road with a question about traffic.
``Hey, Road, what about those little boxes on the side of the dime toll booths?'' ``Hey, Road, what about those poor pedestrians at the Oceanfront?'' ``Hey, Road, when are they going to time the lights on Virginia Beach Boulevard?''
These questions pop up in the grocery store checkout line, cocktail parties and once, Road swears, even in the stall of a local restroom.
It's tough knowing it all but Road doesn't mind shouldering the responsibility of being the public's go-between with city officials. Often the ``public'' is a neighbor, co-worker or friend.
Road was approached last week by a good friend who said, ``Hey, did you see that the speed limit on Independence is down to 35 mph AGAIN? What's going on?''
The answer - construction, construction, construction.
Independence Boulevard Phase IVa is getting ready to start any day now. The project involves widening Independence to three lanes on each side from Jeanne Street to just past Pembroke Boulevard. The project will take about 15 or so months to finish. That's once they get started.
Then there was the co-worker who wanted to know about those funny-looking concrete diamonds on the hills of the 44 overpass at Rosemont Road. ``What are those things?'' he asked.
Well, you stumped Road on this one. Road made a few phone calls and most of the city folk pleaded ignorance. Road guesses that these concrete diamonds are actually the foundations for the crow's nest towers that will hold the HOV cameras. Rosemont Road is the last location these towers will be erected. Anyone else have any bright ideas or questions? Bring 'em on.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Heidie, Princess Anne Plaza. I drive the interstate to Norfolk every day and I see that on eastbound 44 they have closed down the HOV lane and the fast lane right next to it during rush hour every morning and they're doing something but you never can tell exactly what they're doing because on my way home I don't see any improvements.
One, what the heck are they doing? And two, why do they need to do it during rush hour? Thank you very much.
RW: What they're doing is pavement repair. Since they've done most of the left side, they're switching over to the right side now. And even though they're repairing one lane at a time, they have to close two lanes to have the space to work.
They work all hours and since Old Man Winter is on his way, they're probably trying to pour as much concrete as they can. Once it gets below 50 for a few straight days, concrete won't set. Which means, come winter, things will stop for the season and resume in the spring.
Bill, Pocahontas Village. It was nice to see them finally pave the area at the intersection of Shore Drive and Diamond Springs Road. I would like to know why they put a right-turn lane in, going east, at the foot of the overpass and then blocked it out so you can't use it?
RW: It may have looked like a lane at first, but it wasn't and still isn't. People just decided they would use that area for a right-turn lane, hence the new stripes to let people know that it's not a lane and to stay out of it.
The city is aware of the problem, they just haven't decided whether they should tear it all out and make a real right-turn lane or if they should place the ceramic domes or flexible posts to keep people off it. We'll see.
Whitecap, no address given. Please look into the installation of a light at the entrance to or exit of Sentara Nursing Center on the corner of Rosemont Road and Sentara Way. Employees, visitors, rescue vehicles and rescue squads have a terrible time getting onto Rosemont Road. You have to sit for long period of time to exit and then you have to take your chances. Maybe we could get to work on time. Thanks.
RW: Finally, Road knows what you're talking about. Or should Road say where you're talking about. You're between the Wilco and Taco Bell, set back on that road where a thick batch of trees are, or were. Anyway, you definitely have yourself a problem. Rosemont is a headache from 4 p.m. on even if you're headed straight! Since engineers will probably tell you that there's no way traffic coming from Sentara Way is anywhere near enough to warrant a signal, Road will provide you with an easy solution - hang a right, go to the light and do a legal U-turn.
Diane Levendakes, Brigadoon Pines. Hey, Road. Is Indian River Road, between the 64 overpass and Kempsville, vying for the bumpiest and most uneven road in Virginia Beach? The newly created lanes are horrible. Are they going to leave it like this or will they repave all three lanes in the spring? This has got to be the worst paving job I have ever seen, excuse me, felt. Believe me, I know. I have to drive it every day. Thanks for listening.
RW: Actually, it is going to be completely repaved, once the construction's done. What you're riding on now is a rough surface (obviously) that's temporary. Even the existing lanes are in bad disrepair and will also be repaved at the project's completion.
Judy, Carver Tree. I was wondering if the police could do something about putting a sign up on Lynnhaven Parkway and Boxley. You have the people going into Salem High and Junior High who are blocking the intersection and there's going to be an accident. Just wondered if the police have been aware of that.
RW: Do you mean Cliffwood rather than Boxley? Or is traffic backing all the way up to Boxley on Lynnhaven?
Either way, engineers say that there is a problem there. For about 15 to 30 minutes every weekday morning everyone tries to squeeze in and out of the high and junior high there. Even with a signal folks are backing up and those trying to make a left turn from Cliffwood are having a time getting through the light before it changes.
There is an answer, the light could be split-phased, where each movement would be completely protected. But that would mean the traffic wouldn't flow as smoothly (time would be taken away from the main road to do this). So, is it worth stopping traffic off and on all day for a 15-minute period in the morning? You tell me.
Dorothy Kindell, Pocahontas Village. I have a question about the trucks that speed up and down Euclid Road and how we can possibly redirect that? Thank you.
RW: Call your local precinct and see if they have any bored cops hanging around. 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. 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. by CNB