THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 27, 1995 TAG: 9510260176
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: The Road Warrior
SOURCE: The Road Warrior
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
Yes, folks, the new southbound lane of Rosemont Road is open.
Road got a call this week from a few folks who weren't sure if it was open because they hadn't seen or heard the usual fanfare of signs and what-have-you.
Engineers say, yes, it's open and feel free to use it. The new ramp provides 400 more feet of space for cars coming from Virginia Beach Boulevard to get onto Route 44 via Rosemont.
Previously, there was only one right turn lane to the on-ramp. The city built an additional lane, which offers motorists a choice of traveling straight on Rosemont or turning right onto the 44 on-ramp.
The new lane opened Oct. 13.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Rick Manolio, Little Neck. I wanted to give kudos to the Virginia Department of Transportation for fixing the ROSEMONT ROAD and VIRGINIA BEACH BOULEVARD intersection, however, they still have yet to realign the guiding dotted line that takes you from the left turn off the westbound Virginia Beach Boulevard onto southbound Rosemont Road.
Also, people don't seem to realize that this is a new thing. Maybe if they put up some of those orange signs and flags noting a new traffic pattern that would help so people don't keep getting jammed up in that right lane.
RW: The restriping should be done sometime this week. There's also another section of rubberized railroad track crossing to install, but overall the project is finished.
As for warning signs, engineers decided that the area was small and already over-cluttered with signs, and that most folks who routinely drive that way will figure out that it's an additional lane to the Route 44 on-ramp.
Ray Alan, No Address Given. I just wanted to drop you a note about MILITARY HIGHWAY, the mess between Indian River Road and Route 44 and I-64.
That mess continually seems to grow with high spots, low spots, protruding sewer caps, pot holes, big-lipped curves, barricades everywhere and workers endlessly sitting and standing around with their vehicles parked. Will this be finished before our kids have their kids? When is the estimated time of completion?
RW: The widening of South Military Highway to an eight-lane divided highway from just past the Norfolk line to Indian River Road is about 87 percent complete and due to be finished in July 1996.
The project is more than a year behind schedule because lights, median breaks, right-lane extensions and other things were added at the last minute at the request of the city, adjoining businesses and neighborhoods.
Gloria Hernandez, No Address Given. I was told that ALBRIGHT DRIVE between Kempsville and Lynnhaven is a two-lane road, but I've been called every name in the book because people think it's a four-lane road. There are no signs to say either way. Is it two or four lanes?
RW: Albright Drive is a two-lane road (one lane in each direction). When it intersects with Kempsville Road there are two lanes in each direction - one to go straight or turn left and one to go right. That probably gives people the impression that it's a four-lane road but it's not. It's just a wide two-laner with grassy medians, so you have no reason to feel guilty for hogging the road.
Susie, Kings Point. Do you have any pull on getting roads paved? Our road looks like a tic-tac-toe board and it needs some help at PRINCE OF WALES DRIVE in Kings Point.
And, how long do you think it's going to take before we can believe the left-hand turn signs from Virginia Beach Boulevard onto Rosemont? I'm afraid to use the new lane because I'm afraid someone's going to nail me.
RW: Road has absolutely no pull when it comes to getting a parking lot paved, much less a city road. But, Road'll put a bug in the ear of the folks in paving and see what happens.
And don't be timid about using that new right-turn lane off Rosemont onto the on-ramp of Route 44. If someone nails you, they'll be the responsible party. MEMO: 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.
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