THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 29, 1996 TAG: 9603280139
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: The Road Warrior
LENGTH: Long : 117 lines
Monday, April Fools' Day, marks the beginning of this year's Oceanfront Residential Parking Permit Program, and the day you need to begin feeding the resort parking meters.
The parking program was started last year to help maintain order and eliminate loitering and public disturbances at night.
The on-street parking meters are self-explanatory and will be enforced 24 hours a day until the end of September.
Here's the deal about the parking permit program:
Decal restrictions will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily.
Residential parking permit decals are free for the first two vehicles registered to the same address. Each permit thereafter is $5.
There are two types of guest passes, yearly and temporary. Two yearly passes are available per vehicle for $2 each if the vehicle is registered with Parking Systems Management. Only four yearly passes are available per household.
Temporary passes, for up to 72 hours, are issued free to a registered permit holder. These passes are given out seven days a week through September at the Parking Systems Management office.
Businesses can obtain five passes for $10 each and then $20 for each additional pass or replacement pass. Employers are responsible for employee and guest passes.
Applications for decals can be obtained by calling the Parking Management Systems office at 427-4670. Folks who got decals last year are already on the mailing list and should have received an application for this year.
Applications are mailed out and should be returned with two proofs of residency as well as a copy of the vehicle's registration.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Jimmy Morris, Larkspur. Hey, Road, about the Independence underpass at Route 44 . . . one day the Highway Department is repairing the barrier and the next day someone tries to cross in traffic and runs right into it.
Why doesn't the city erect an eight-inch high island to separate the lanes? Thanks a lot, buddy. Bye.
RW: This barrier or guardrail is one of Road's favorite topics. Road drives by the thing every day. First, the barrier was hit about three different times before it finally had to be taken down. It was then replaced by three huge yellow cans holding sand. Within weeks, the yellow cans were demolished; spilled sand was everywhere. Within a day or two of that happening a new impact attenuator was installed. After that, it was a mere six or so hours before someone else plowed into the barrier. The latest collision caused only minor damage and the thing has once again been straightened out.
I'm sure it'll only be a matter of hours or days before someone else plows into it. I know the highway folks are probably tired of making the trip out to fix and replace it. Road has made some phone calls to see if there are any plans to do something about this continuous problem. And, Jimmy, your idea doesn't sound too bad!
Rob, Chesapeake Beach. I'm curious about why they've closed one side of the LESNER BRIDGE on the first day of spring? Why couldn't they have done that in the wintertime? It would have made more sense instead of spring when it's getting ready to be high season.
Can you tell me when the project is going to be finished? Thank you.
RW: Well, Rob, it's like this. The concrete asphalt overlay that's been spread on the east and west sides of the Lesner Bridge has to be put down in warmer temperatures so that it will set and dry correctly. Winter temps are too low to spread the mixture. That's why the work hasn't been done earlier.
Until then, eastbound traffic is rerouted to the westbound bridge structure, meaning the traffic on the bridge that's open will be two-way. When the eastbound structure is finished, they'll do the same thing on the other side.
The project's scheduled to be completely finished before Memorial Day.
Gail, Malibu. I'm concerned about BAMBOO LANE. When you go down it there's so many commercial vehicles and trucks from people having businesses in their homes and all the cars. If someone parks on both sides of the street, you cannot bring a vehicle, especially an emergency vehicle down Bamboo Lane. It's something to be concerned about when an emergency vehicle has to go through or for anyone trying to get down the road here. Thank you.
RW: It's illegal to have commercial vehicles parked in the public streets of residential neighborhoods. We're not talking about the guy next door's pickup that he uses for construction work. We're talking major commercial trucks with decals and whathaveyou. If the offending vehicles are parked on a public street, then you call the Virginia Beach Police Department to check it out. If they're parked on private property, then you call the Zoning Department (427-8074) to have it checked on. Sounds like someone needs to do something out there.
Leveria Marsh, Alexandria. Recently I've been fortunate enough, or unfortunate enough, however you want to put it, to be working 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. I would like to tell you that I have encountered the worst morning drivers I have ever seen in my life. They go through red lights, they use no signals and they go 45 mph in a 25 mph zone.
To all my fellow workers and all the drivers who have to be at work at 8 a.m. and leave the house at 8 a.m., you better think again. And, to all my fellow drivers who have to be at work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and leave at a decent time, thanks. I really appreciate it. Later.
RW: It must be the spring temps, Leveria, because Road's run into a whole rash of idiots on the roads here lately.
Linda Gallant, no address given. GATES LANDING ROAD is the main thoroughfare of a townhouse community with a lot of small children. There's no posted speed limit. Is there any way we can get a posted 15 mph limit to protect our children? Thank you.
RW Actually, isn't Whitehurst Landing the main thoroughfare and isn't it posted as 25 mph?
If there are 25 mph signs on Whitehurst Landing the city will not come and duplicate those signs on the smaller side streets. However, if Whitehurst Landing isn't posted at all, the city will come and install 25 mph speed limit signs. At no time will they install 15 mph speed limit signs because the guidelines call for 25 mph in a residential area. 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