THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 8, 1995 TAG: 9512060162
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: The Road Warrior
LENGTH: Long : 119 lines
It seems that everyone's an Einstein around here this week.
Road got a dozen calls about the mysterious octagons and hexagons popping up next to the interstates and at intersections.
More than half of those callers insisted Road was an idiot for not knowing what they are - that they're obviously loop detectors, which control the signals.
WRONG.
The loops installed to detect a car's presence at an intersection are underground cables. These same loops are used on the interstates, or can be used, to help count the number of cars using the roadway.
These mysterious shapes are actually metal boxes buried in the ground and surrounded by a collar of concrete, says my buddy Dennis Gribok with the Virginia Department of Transportation.
The metal boxes hold the main wires that connect all the loops and other gadgets having to do with the Traffic Management System. Contrary to information provided by one caller, they do not record the speed of a vehicle.
It's like a fuse box in your home, except that it's the wiring for our Traffic Management System.
Most of the shapes are rectangular but because of the way they're positioned some look like diamonds.
Another dozen folks called to lambaste Road for saying that Overland Drive met Kempsville. The callers say that Overland Drive only meets at Princess Anne Road and Witchduck. Well, that's true. But, Road's earlier statement is correct. Kempsville Road starts in the Lansdale area of Norfolk and becomes Princess Anne Road at Arrowhead. So there!
Anyone else want to take a swing?
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Donna, no address given. I was calling to say it seems that they need a light at FIRST COURT and PLEASURE HOUSE ROAD. It's very difficult to turn left from First Court onto Pleasure House and I would like to see if there's plans for a traffic light to be installed. Please let me know.
RW: There are no plans for a traffic signal in this area, Donna. Regardless of what some may think, traffic signals are not the answer to congestion. Traffic signals stop movement, they don't promote movement.
That said, engineers say that during off-peak times, there isn't enough traffic to consider a light for the area. Sorry.
Jim McCallister, Salem Woods. My question has to deal with traffic flow on LYNNHAVEN PARKWAY over by the shopping center.
When are they going to put a deceleration lane or turn lane on the northbound side on Avenger and Viking drives?
A lot of people make those turns and it really slows down traffic if you don't have the deceleration lane.
RW: It would sure make sense to have such a lane now but years and years ago when the road was planned, who would have guessed that the Viking and Avenger drives area would become so industrial-like? Apparently, not our city planners because there were never any plans for such a lane.
However, Road believes that Lynnhaven Parkway is currently under consideration for expansion to six lanes all the way up to Holland Road. Road's not sure when this will happen, or if it's been approved, but we'll keep you posted and we'll also try and get hold of a new CIP book when it comes out - the book lists all the upcoming projects and their details.
Jack, Kempsville. It's dangerous out there in Virginia Beach.
I've noticed all the signs in the median strips knocked down by these great drivers. Beware. You may be next.
It's dangerous out there, Road Warrior, warn your drivers. I saw a pickup truck hit one of those signs on a clear smooth day and he kept right on going.
RW: Well, if a cop sees someone hit one of those signs, or if anyone's brave enough to report an offender, the person could be billed for the cost of the sign and the post.
Rob Crews, no address given. I got a challenge for you.
Get a partner, get on an HOV lane that goes down the middle of I-64 at about 7:30 in the morning, try to go from the HOV lane and get onto Terminal Boulevard. You have about a quarter of a mile, with four lanes of traffic that's bumper to bumper going into the base, try to get over in the right lane to exit at Terminal Boulevard while people in the right lane are trying to get over in the left lane.
Is there any way, or does the Virginia Department of Transportation have any plans to open an access prior to Terminal Boulevard, a little further back to make it easier to merge? Thanks. Bye.
RW: Are you nuts, Rob? That's one challenge Road'll be a wimp and pass on!
It's not the easiest maneuver to get from the HOV lane to Terminal Boulevard, no doubt about that. It's not easy in any direction. But, the fact is, there aren't any plans in the works to fix the problem. Fact is, no one's even talking about it. Now, if time goes on and enough complaints are lodged, well, who knows? Maybe something will happen then. Of course, to do anything to fix the problem it would likely mean more congestion because it would mean more construction.
Linda Dahms, no address given. I read your article about the Boardwalk traffic flow.
We went down to see those lights. People were cutting in and they were arguing and fighting. Someone's going to get hurt down there because no one's around to watch these people cutting in after everyone else has sat waiting for two hours to see the lights.
RW: Well, the trick to that particular traffic pattern was heavy police enforcement. Are you saying there weren't any cops in sight, Linda?
Jeff Rabenda, Bayside. My wife and I noticed that Haygood Plaza on INDEPENDENCE BOULEVARD, there's a video store there and there's a two-lane entrance and exit but the lanes are separated by yellow lines, which usually mean they separate traffic moving in the opposite direction.
I think they should change that. They should be separated by a white line.
RW: Fact is, Jeff, if it's private property and this is, it could be a purple line if the owners so wanted.
They probably used yellow lines to indicate that they didn't want folks changing lanes at the last minute coming out of the shopping center. 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