THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 1, 1995 TAG: 9511300145
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: The Road Warrior
LENGTH: Long : 109 lines
Has anyone checked out the holiday lights along the Boardwalk?
Road recently cruised the Boardwalk on a night when the place wasn't packed with cars - a luxury you likely won't enjoy now.
One thing Road noticed, aside from the lights, is that traffic seemed to be routed in the oddest way.
Those who wanted to enter the Boardwalk were told to go to the inside southbound lane of Atlantic Avenue. As you come around Rudee loop to head north on Atlantic Avenue you remain in the inside lane.
The right lane of Atlantic Avenue, north and south, is designated for through-traffic only.
As you approach 8th Street, a police officer stops through-traffic in the right lane to let those in the left lane turn right into the light show.
Road thought the set-up was pretty bizarre until Road realized that the process actually makes a lot of sense.
And, naturally, our city engineers are the folks who came up with the idea to divert traffic to the middle lane so that those folks who needed or wanted to get to the hotels or restaurants could stay in the right lane and proceed on without waiting in line.
For a short time, the side streets between Pacific and Atlantic avenues were closed because people were trying to use them to cut into the line for the light show.
But engineers decided with the help of a few more orange cones and more police, to reopen the side streets to traffic in the right-hand lane so that those businesses that are open can serve customers.
They also are encouraging folks who are coming down to see the light show - whether they're coming by way of Route 44, Shore Drive or Rudee Inlet Bridge - to head down to 21st Street at Pacific Avenue, head east to Atlantic Avenue and then turn right on Atlantic to get in line for the show.
If you think cutting in at 10th Street will do you some good, you're wrong. You'll be politely shown to the back of the line way back at 21st Street.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Harry Warren, no address given. I'm calling to find out, in the past year, I've noticed there's been a series of octagons and rectangles carved into the streets and highways in this area. They usually come in pairs and they're usually at stop lights.
I'm just wondering what they're for.
RW: Man, Harry, you've tested Road's limits on this one. Engineers probably think Road has cracked but, hey, who cares? Road also has noticed a set of these strange ``things'' on the hill just before the Route 44 on-ramp at Rosemont Road.
Road called the Virginia Department of Transportation but they don't know what either of us is talking about. They did, however, promise to check them out. Stay tuned. . . .
Irwin Waranch, no address given. I think a good job was done removing the toll booth at ROUTE 44. I think it's time now that they take the signs down that tell trailers and campers to get in the right-hand lane because they can use any lane just like anybody else.
RW: Virginia Department of Transportation officials have ordered those signs dismantled and taken down. That job should be done this week sometime, if it hasn't been done already.
Dennis Adkins, no address given. You printed my complaint about a view obstruction in The Beacon on Nov. 10. I made a mistake on the streets. It should have been ASH AVENUE and SOUTHERN BOULEVARD not Fir Avenue and Southern Boulevard. I guess I got confused because of the fir trees on that corner.
RW: No wonder engineers couldn't find any view obstruction. They were looking at the wrong street. That's OK though, Dennis. We all get confused and act like an ``ash'' at times.
Anonymous Excited Woman, no address given. God! Oh my God! You won't believe what happened (she laughs uproariously)! Some big dog just hauled off with our turkey! (More laughter). It's a big brown dog with my turkey! I've got to go. Call me back.
RW: Whoever this harried woman was, Road sure is interested to find out if she got her turkey back.
Betty, no address given. Hey, I like your theme song. I'm a trucker, too. In reference to the KEMPSVILLE and OVERLAND DRIVE article. Where does Kempsville and Overland meet?
I've lived here since 1967 and I think it's Overland and Witchduck and Overland and Princess Anne Road. Correct me if I'm wrong. Thank you.
RW: You're wrong, Betty. Sort of. Kempsville Road actually turns into Princess Anne Road before Overland hits it. You are right that Overland also hits Witchduck Road.
Lisa, Rosemont Forest. I'm calling about the light at SUN DEVIL DRIVE and LYNNHAVEN PARKWAY and ROUND HILL and LYNNHAVEN PARKWAY.
The automatic turn light comes on whether you're turning or not at both intersections. It's even worse since they worked on the road.
RW: Engineers are aware that there are a few bad loops out there in the Lynnhaven Parkway corridor. They're moving as fast as they can to have those fixed or replaced. Until then, have a little patience, the cavalry's a comin'.
Emily, the North End. I really don't think the intersection down around 42ND STREET needs to be redesigned. I think it's going to cause a lot of accidents. Do I need to say anything else? I don't have to give my address or my Social Security number? I think Virginia Beach needs to get a grip on things and quit building new houses.
RW: Well, OK, Emily. We'll register your vote against the improvements to 42nd Street. 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