THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 5, 1996 TAG: 9601030161
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: The Road Warrior
LENGTH: Long : 109 lines
In case you hadn't heard - City Council approved an ordinance and resolution to improve the Norfolk Southern rail crossing at Thalia Road.
The improvement will mean the installation of flashing lights to warn drivers of approaching trains.
Now that the city has approved the project, Norfolk Southern will handle the design and construction work.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Mark Griffith, Fairfield. I'm just sick of all these people complaining about SHORE DRIVE. The road doesn't kill people. People kill people. That's one of the most beautiful roads in Virginia Beach. I've lived here since 1975 and I've never had a problem on that road. If people would just drive the way they should everything would be fine. Maybe we could install a few lights instead of cutting down trees and that would work out. Thanks, Road.
RW: Unfortunately, Mark, very few people drive as they should and Shore Drive, especially the westbound direction, doesn't have room for mistakes.
Engineers make the point that there's no shoulder whatsoever so if someone were to make an innocent mistake, say a mom trying to reach her kid in the back seat, there's nowhere for her to correct and get back on the road. Once tires hit that sand, a car's pretty much out of control.
A traffic signal would probably only serve to tick folks off who know how to drive the road safely.
A ``few'' trees really are a small price to pay for saving lives. And yes, Road loves trees, too.
Kevin, no address given. My problem is with the left and right hand turn at the corner of BAYSIDE and DIAMOND SPRINGS roads. It's no longer an arrow so you can't see oncoming traffic because it stays green on both sides all the time.
The guy in the opposite turn lane is in your way. They should have a green arrow and put it back. Thanks a lot, bud.
RW: You're confusing me, Kevin.
Diamond Springs has a protected/permissive green meaning that there's a few seconds of green arrow and then a few seconds of circular green in which those turning left must yield to oncoming traffic.
As for Bayside Road, there's never been a protected (or arrow) green for those turning right or left. It's always been a yield to the circular green kind of deal. Are you saying you'd like to see a protected arrow installed here for those turning left off Bayside Road?
Mr. Kennedy, no address given. At PRINCESS ANNE ROAD where it comes into GENERAL BOOTH BOULEVARD there's an intersection, PRINCESS ANNE ROAD and PRINCESS ANNE ROAD. One goes south along the Courthouse area and the other one goes toward Sandbridge. Are those roads going to stay the same name or are they going to be changed so there's some continuity?
Or, can I continue to tell somebody to meet me at the intersection of Princess Anne Road and Princess Anne Road? Thanks, Road. Take it easy.
RW: The intersection of Princess Anne and Princess Anne has been the intersection of Princess Anne and Princess Anne since General Booth was completed some years ago.
There's a reluctance to change a road's name after it has been that way for years because it tends to mess people up. For instance, look at Bonney Road. There are two of those and they never even meet.
Engineers say don't expect a name change.
Tom, Kings Grant. I'm calling in regard to the intersection of LYNNHAVEN PARKWAY at POTTERS ROAD.
When you're going northbound on Lynnhaven toward Route 44 the lines on the road need to be remarked. They are practically nonexistent. If you could check on that. I'd appreciate it. Take care.
RW: Road called the city's Operations Department to report the problem but Road can bet that it'll be weeks, if not months, before those lines are restriped. There are only a handful of folks in this department and they're having a heck of a time keeping the lines fresh.
James Williamson, no address given. Calling about your article on INDEPENDENCE BOULEVARD construction starting Phase 4B which is starting at intersection of HAYGOOD ROAD. I was wondering in which direction is the project going? To Shore Drive?
RW: Let Road clarify this because there were a couple of calls from folks wondering the same thing. Independence Boulevard Phase 4B is the widening of the Haygood Road intersection. Independence Boulevard Phase 4C is the widening of the road from Haygood back down to Pembroke Boulevard.
There will be no widening of Independence Boulevard from the Haygood Road intersection to Shore Drive. The whole project officially ends with the Haygood Road/Pembroke Boulevard tie-in.
Rob Lundquist, no address given. I'm wondering what's going on WESLEYAN DRIVE, approaching NORTHAMPTON? The Norfolk sheriff's work force just repainted the lines there and they don't match the sign that says which lane you need to be in to turn left to get onto the interstate or continue on Northampton.
It seems to be a dangerous situation. I'd be interested to see what you can find out about that.
RW: I'd say it sounds pretty dangerous indeed, Rob.
Road's going to pass the concern on to Norfolk engineers.
Joan Keller, Virginia Beach. I've noticed the traffic on the Route 44 South Lynnhaven exit, heading east, is backing up again.
Is it due to an increase in traffic or are the lights out of synch?
RW: The congestion is due to an increase in holiday traffic trying to get to the mall.
Now that the holidays are over, things should lighten up a bit. 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