THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 1, 1995 TAG: 9508310212
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: The Road Warrior
LENGTH: Long : 124 lines
The machines are out, the cones are in place and the repaving of Constitution and Columbus streets began Monday.
The paving and restriping comes as a precursor to traffic patterns being switched by transposing the stop signs that are currently out there.
Constitution Drive, north and south, between Virginia Beach Boulevard and Columbus Street is being repaved as is Columbus Street, east and west, between Independence and Constitution Drive.
The repaving and restriping is being done between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and is scheduled to take a little less than a month to complete.
To refresh your memory on this topic, here's the situation:
Engineers are going to switch the stop signs that are now on Constitution over to Columbus Street. Which means that those driving east on Columbus will have to stop either to make a left or go straight in one lane or take the right lane to turn into the condo complex.
Once the signs are switched, those heading north or south on Constitution will have the through right of way. Those folks eager to exit out of the movie theater will still face the stop sign that they see today.
The cost of the whole project, restriping and all, is about $85,000.
Road, being the skeptic, would like to see this plan in action before we speak of the benefits. Let's see how long folks have to sit to make a left turn at Columbus. Then again, maybe it'll work because there aren't that many residents in and out of the condo complex.
In fact, there aren't even enough residents or traffic in and out of the complex to warrant a real traffic signal being installed. So, why the switch to the tune of $85,000?
Your guess is as good as mine.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Ruth Winchester, Columbus Station. In your article it says that the new stop sign will allow cars to continue on into the Columbus Apartments. I don't know if you know it or not, but there's two complete condo neighborhoods back here and all of us are upset about that corner up there. Trying to get in and out of Columbus Station is like playing Russian roulette.
Changing the stop signs around is doing nothing but jerking with our heads. Why don't they get off the pot and put a real street light in there?
I know you were opposed to it before, but if you had to drive it every day you'd think twice about being so cavalier about this situation. As far as I'm concerned, the people taking a shortcut off Independence can go back to Independence. This isn't a shortcut, it's a street where we live and it's difficult enough to get in and out.
I vote for a street light.
RW: The reason you guys aren't being afforded the luxury of a traffic signal is because engineers went out and studied the traffic patterns, including the number of vehicles in and out of your complex, and the numbers weren't high enough to warrant a new signal. Engineers say that the new design should work swell for you folks.
As for this being used as a shortcut, the city intentionally made Columbus Loop so that it would be a shortcut around the congestion at the intersection of Independence and the Boulevard.
Carol Thierer, no address given. I'm calling about going northbound on CONSTITUTION and when you get to VIRGINIA BEACH BOULEVARD, making that left-hand turn is a horror. It only lets about three cars through.
I think it's something that should be corrected especially with the traffic coming out of the theater.
I agree I don't see why they're changing the stop signs. That seems kind of silly.
RW: An engineer went out personally to check out the timing for this left-turn lane and found that it's adequate.
He sat for a quite a while during an afternoon peak time and found that usually no more than three or four cars even turn left per cycle there and the light's green span seems to be adequate to get those cars through, even if the last one coming through gets a yellow light.
Granted, that doesn't mean that when the theaters let out there isn't a slew of vehicles lined up to take a left. But, engineers say that's the exception and the entire traffic pattern shouldn't be based on sporadic events.
Patty Schasser, no address given. In regard to the widow who can't get her driver's license, would it be possible for her to take the test in writing rather than on a screen? That might help.
RW: The folks at the Department of Motor Vehicles say that, yes, anyone can take the test in writing
if there are problems taking the test by computer. It's not a practice they want to go back to, but they are willing to cooperate for special cases.
Randy Wallace, no address given. In reference to what's being built at LONDON BRIDGE at SHIPPS CORNER.
It's going to be General Foam Plastics' new building.
I know that because we reviewed the plans for it.
RW: Thanks, Randy. Road got one other call from someone saying they thought it was a part of Lillian Vernon's warehouse expansion. However, he didn't say anything like he ``reviewed the plans.'' Road's still expecting a call from General Foam Plastics, so for now, we'll go with your answer.
Jim Skulsage, no address given. The light at the intersection at LYNNHAVEN PARKWAY and ROUNDHILL changes with no cars there at all. See what you can do about that. Thanks.
RW: Apparently, the intersections of Lynnhaven Parkway and Salem Road, Lynnhaven Parkway and Roundhill and Lynnhaven Parkway and Cliffwood Road all have bad loops.
The area was repaved and those loops still need to replaced so there is no reason for the timing as it is. Hopefully, this work will begin soon.
Claude Whitehurst, no address given. At the corner of MEDITERRANEAN and NORFOLK AVENUES next to the railroad tracks, cars are parked there on the corner so you can't get by. You can't see coming east or west on Norfolk Avenue.
They say it belongs to the railroad but I believe that the city has something to do with that. That's a hazard and I think somebody's going to get killed there.
RW: An engineer happened upon this scene just this past weekend and happens to agree with you. Those cars parked so close to the intersection and the railroad are entirely too close for comfort.
A portion of the area surrounding the railroad track is railroad property, but there's also a stretch that's city right of way and engineers are looking into erecting ``no parking'' signs on its right of way. 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