THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 25, 1995 TAG: 9506220015
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
The lead letter on June 11 cited the fears of one of your readers about the removal of tolls from the Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway.
The removal of the toll-collection infrastructure has benefits for all Virginia Beach residents that will far outweigh any resulting negative cash flow for highway work.
The Expressway already represents practically the only way, with the exception of Virginia Beach Boulevard, to travel East-West. The same city fathers who failed to provide an adequate source of drinking water for the inevitable growth of our community likewise failed to provide for alternate efficient East-West routes.
The feared increase in traffic volume on Route 44 has been hardly noticeable. Not having to stop at the toll plaza and other exits will save my family more than $200 per year, an incalculable amount of time wasted and the daily stress caused by bumper-car merging.
Tourists for the most part do not come to the Beach to wander around on the Expressway ``looking for strip malls.'' This year the annoyance that many of them will feel by being held up behind long lines of eastbound traffic at Peninsula tie-ups will not be compounded by a long wait at the toll plaza.
As for highway maintenance, I vote for a break from endless 45-mph speed traps. No doubt the state and city will continue to take what they need from us. This area will doubtless continue to be one of the most expensive places in which to try to live outside of California or New England.
JOHN S. WADE
Virginia Beach, June 19, 1995 by CNB