THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 30, 1995 TAG: 9506290210
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Road Warrior
LENGTH: Long : 116 lines
If you travel Route 44 often, you probably have noticed that the eastbound shoulder lane has been closed since removal of the toll booth commenced June 1.
The eastbound shoulder lane, typically open between 3 and 6 p.m., will remain closed until the toll booth work is completed in November.
The westbound shoulder lane will remain open between 5 and 8:30 a.m.
Transportation officials say the closing is necessary because the eastbound shoulder lane eventually would have to merge into one of four lanes where the toll booth once sat, causing major back-ups.
Right now, traffic is being diverted into the center lanes as workers smooth down the hump on the outside lanes. Once the outside lanes are done, traffic will be diverted again to the outside while work commences on the inside lanes.
While the shoulder lane isn't supposed to be used, plenty of people are still using it. In fact, that's a major sore point with Road. People are constantly cutting me and my fellow drivers off at the exit because they've hopped into the shoulder lane too early.
Where are the police enforcing the shoulder lanes? In four months of Route 44 travel Road has not seen ONE cop out there stopping people for cruising those lanes.
And speaking of Route 44, concrete replacement therapy (fancy wording for concrete construction) will continue through the next 18 months with alternate lane closings. A good portion of the work is happening at night so keep awake and aware out there.
You also should be aware of changes taking place at the intersection of HOLLAND and DAM NECK ROADS.
The intersection has long been a hassle for traffic heading south on Holland taking a left onto Dam Neck in one left-turn lane.
All that's changing this week.
Engineers are restriping those lanes to include two left-turn lanes, a through lane and a right-turn lane. That means no more fighting between the folks who are continuing south on Holland in the right lane and then have to merge to the left lane. Which, incidentally, if you're in the lane that's ending, YOU must yield to others, not the other way around.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Pamela, Virginia Beach. Hey, Road, is there any way we could get the parking problem fixed on SUNSTREAM PARKWAY in the SALEM VILLAGE area? The road is so narrow you can hardly drive down it. Possibly having parking on one side during odd number days and on the other side on even number days.
Thanks.
RW: The only way parking would be restricted in a residential area is if emergency vehicles couldn't get down the road either, and Road knows of no emergency vehicle driver complaints about this area.
Of course, that doesn't mean engineers won't be happy to go and check it out for themselves. And though your idea is somewhat logical, switching rules off and on just doesn't work.
Kathy Dee, Avalon Terrace. I'm calling about the light at PROVIDENCE ROAD and AVALON AVENUE, leading into the Avalon Terrace area near the fire station, the shrubbery is blocking the view at that light for traffic coming east from Providence Road.
They have trimmed it down and you still can't see past it.
My suggestion is that they just cut the shrubbery all the way down.
RW: Road and engineers assume you're talking about a right on red view problem since the intersection has a signal?
Engineers say they'll go see if those bushes have been adequately trimmed.
Eddy, Virginia Beach. My concern is about the light at the intersection of SHIPPS CORNER and LONDON BRIDGE ROAD. If you're on London Bridge, going in either direction, there's a bush blocking the view each way. You normally cannot see that light. People are going a good 50 or 60 mph coming down this road and I think it's an accident waiting to happen. I think they need to put a signal up like they have at Shore Drive where Fort Story is to tell you in advance or they need to chop those trees down.
RW: Engineers will check to see what trees or bush is obstructing the view. If there is an obstruction, they'll cut those trees down or trim them way back. But, no, there's no chance that they'll erect a sign that says, ``Caution: Trees Ahead.''
William L. Tatum, no address given. I'm calling about the light at VIRGINIA BEACH BOULEVARD heading west at KEMPSVILLE ROAD. The left-turn signal is entirely too long. Traffic backs up and it never empties that left-hand lane. I think something should be done about it. Thank you.
RW: The light you speak of is technically in Norfolk. However, Norfolk has coordinated signal systems too so there shouldn't be any major back-ups going on.
Norfolk engineers need more information about this particular problem. They're wanting to know what time of the day or night you've noticed the problem. That's key in figuring out what part of the timing needs adjusting, if any.
Call Road back or you can call Norfolk engineers directly at 441-2351.
The following wrote to Road:
Dear Road,
I'd like to call attention to the light at the intersection of DIAMOND SPRINGS ROAD at NORTHAMPTON BOULEVARD. When proceeding south out of the Airport Industrial Park on Diamond Springs Road, if you approach the intersection at Northampton Boulevard in the right lane you do not trip the traffic sensor. If someone finally comes along and stops in the left lane, the light will cycle to green in the normal manner. This is little more than an irritation I admit, but it's still an irritation. Please ask someone to check it out. Thanks.
Mike Booth
Boxford Road
RW: Road's here to handle all your irritations, Mike.
Engineers say it sounds like you got a bad ``loop'' out there. A loop being the thing that knows whether someone's there or not. They're going to check it out so that you will no longer be irritated. 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.
Please include your name, address and neighborhood. by CNB