THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 29, 1995 TAG: 9509280145
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: The Road Warrior
SOURCE: The Road Warrior
LENGTH: Long : 112 lines
The Virginia Department of Transportation has decided to reopen the eastbound shoulder lane of Route 44.
The lane has been closed since work began to remove the toll booths.
It was closed because engineers and contractors feared that people in the shoulder lane would have to merge right before the construction, making it dangerous for workers and drivers.
Now, engineers have determined that it is safe to go ahead and open the lane even though work at the site of the old toll booths isn't scheduled to be completed until November.
The lane going eastbound is open to all traffic from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and folks will have to merge out of it and into the regular lanes as they approach the construction area.
The overhead variable message signs will continue to keep folks posted as to whether the lane is open or not.
And, yes, it is illegal to drive in the shoulder lanes at any time other than the appointed times - 5 to 8:30 a.m. heading westbound and 3 to 6 p.m. heading eastbound.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
S.M., Columbus Station. We really need a stop light at COLUMBUS and CONSTITUTION. One stop sign is not cutting it. People are just blowing the stop sign we do have.
Why can't we just get a stop light out there?
RW: Put simply, there just isn't enough traffic.
Engineers have made these recent changes (flip-flopping the stop sign from Constitution to Columbus) to see if that helps alleviate the problems. If not, then they'll restudy the traffic numbers to see if they're close to fitting the requirements for a traffic signal.
In the meantime, there are still modifications being made. For instance, the right turn lane into Columbus Station from Columbus Street is still being worked on. The ``gore'' area, or open space, where the lane separates still has to be marked.
Tommy Davis, No Address Given. What's up, Road Warrior?
I'd like to know what's going on with INDEPENDENCE BOULEVARD?
It's a grand disaster.
Northbound Independence has been backed up all the way back to Virginia Beach Boulevard because they're merging everyone into one lane.
Could you let me know the progress or status of the project, or, should I say, grand disaster?
RW: No doubt it's a bit of a mess out there, Tommy. But, it's got to be expected during times of construction. Road gets a small (if not frightening) kick out of the group of four barrels sitting right in the middle of the intersection of Independence and Jericho. Looks like the barrels are covering some sort of massive drain but it's a real headache when you're trying to turn left and have to merge the right of way to the folks heading straight! People can't see each other.
Anyway, since they're paving the whole width of the road, four lanes on each side, there was no getting around the merging of folks into one lane. It's the best way to get a smoother asphalt surface all the way across.
And yes, construction is on target to be complete sometime in November, weather permitting of course.
Kirk Liebold, No Address Given. You took care of the problem at NORFOLK AVENUE and MEDITERRANEAN where the ``for sale'' cars and pieces of junk were parked on the side of the road. Well, now we're having the same problem on the other side of the road, on the right-hand side next to that little lot next to the railroad tracks and now you can't see in the other direction.
You can't park anywhere else on Norfolk Avenue, how come you can park right there?
RW: Probably because enough people haven't complained about it or there haven't been enough accidents to bring it to someone's attention.
Road remembers the problem at Norfolk Avenue, but even after your description Road wonders if we're talking about the same side of the road, or what side of the road are we talking about? The ``no parking'' signs are scheduled to be installed heading south near the railroad tracks and it sounds like, from your description, that we're talking about the same side? Are we? Can you give me a landmark? Is it the side where the old icehouse was?
Andrew Parr, Lake James. Calling about a kid I almost saw get killed today on INDIAN RIVER ROAD at the intersection of LAKE JAMES. The new lights that were put in at the intersection haven't been timed yet.
Sometimes the eastbound lane at that intersection on Indian River gets a red light while the westbound lane still has a green.
These two kids were waiting on the east side lane, saw the traffic was stopped and assumed that the westbound traffic was stopped and rode their bikes across and into the traffic. One lady, doing 50 mph through the intersection, almost hit this kid, missed by about six inches.
If the city can get off their butt and go ahead and time those lights and turn on the crosswalk light this will be avoided.
This kid almost died and it's because the city hasn't gotten around to timing these lights.
RW: Man, talk about a close call! Engineers are sending someone out pronto to check on the lights, especially the pedestrian crossing signal.
Tammy, Virginia Beach. I just wanted to say that I hate the right turn on red law. You have to fight people when you're making a U-turn and then they look at you like you're nuts. You have the right of way and they wonder why they can't just slip right by you when you're trying to make your U-turn?
I also hate people who pull up over the stop bar at a red light. If you're trying to make a right turn on red, you can't see what's coming.
Thanks for letting me blow off my steam.
RW: No problem, Tammy. That'll be $50. 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