THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 19, 1996 TAG: 9604180140
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Road Warrior
LENGTH: Long : 117 lines
Amid all this talk about reviving the Southeastern Parkway and Greenbelt, you may have missed any mention of canceling the Jeanne Street project. That idea probably made more than one homeowner happy.
The original Jeanne Street project called for a four-lane divided highway, with the city either buying several Jeanne Street houses or using part of Pembroke Mall's parking lot or a combination of both to acquire the right of way.
The Jeanne Street expansion, from Independence Boulevard to Constitution Drive, included ``upscaled'' sidewalks (whatever that means) and lots of landscaping all to the tune of about $3.2 million.
Those plans have been nixed and the project's funds funneled to the Independence Boulevard Phase 4C project, which we'll discuss later.
But, first, Jeanne Street hasn't been completely forgotten. City engineer John Herzke says that the city still plans to construct permanent barriers at the intersection of Constitution and Jeanne.
For several years, the city has used ceramic domes that rise from the pavement to keep folks from traveling through the Pembroke Meadows/Manor neighborhood. Since the project has been shelved, the city has decided to erect more permanent barriers, like raised islands. Engineers also plan to widen the turning room so that folks don't hit the curb when turning from either Constitution or Jeanne. This work should begin within 12 months.
Officially, the Jeanne Street expansion project isn't dead until the City Council adopts the new Capital Improvement Program for 1996-97 and once the Virginia Department of Transportation comes out with its new six-year plan (both publications propose to eliminate the project). When that happens, you can consider the Jeanne Street expansion project ``officially'' shelved.
As for funneling funds, what it means for Independence Boulevard Phase 4 C is that the widening of the Independence and Haygood intersection will happen sooner and in conjunction with Independence Boulevard Phase 4 B, which involves widening Independence from Pembroke Boulevard to Haygood Road.
Construction is expected to start on Phase 4 B and C in March 1998 and should be finished about a year later.
Whew. Got all that? SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Ben Jackson, Lands End Way.I'm calling to ask about the new amphitheater and whether or not there are any plans to have bicycle paths made available? That would be a real wonderful thing and having come from California that's one of the ways to go. Thanks much.
RW: Right now, Ben, there are no plans for bike paths in conjunction with amphitheater construction. However, Dam Neck Road has a wide asphalt bike path that will take you up to Holland Road and then there's another path, a sidewalk actually, that follows along Princess Anne Road where it's an eight-lane divided highway.
Patty Callahan, no address given. I'm calling about the walk signal at LANDSTOWN and MONET. It is approximately four seconds long to walk. I don't think that's enough time. There's a lot of children this summer in strollers that will be going that way to Princess Anne Park and the Farmers Market. I'd like to see that lengthened. Thank you.
RW: First, Patty, let's make sure that we're following the ``walk/don't walk'' directions right. Don't laugh, because a lot of people don't realize there is a pattern to this type of signal.
When the walk light comes on, it means step off the curb and begin your walk. This phase usually gives between five and seven seconds to begin the walk. When the light begins to flash, it means that you need to complete your walk or if you just got to the curb don't attempt to walk because you won't have enough time to cross. When the light goes to ``don't walk'' it means just that, don't walk and don't attempt to walk. It's almost like the red, yellow and green phases of a traffic signal.
Marcy, Sandbridge. I'm calling concerning the right-turn only lane they've put on UPTON DRIVE just before OLD DAM NECK ROAD.
I know it was put there because of the numerous accidents with people running the stop sign off Old Dam Neck Road but I'd like to know why after doing this right-turn lane only they didn't take down the stop sign? Everybody seems to really not be stopping now especially during the a.m. rush.
I work at Ocean Lakes Elementary and have to turn right into the school after the intersection and it's hard to turn with all the sign runners. Thanks.
RW: So, what are you saying, Marcy? Just take down the sign so all the sign runners can continue the same pattern only without breaking a law?
Engineers say they want the sign to stay. And, of course, there are always a few sign runners, but the gaps should allow you to still get into your chosen lane safely.
Bernie Grablowsky, Haygood. Why on SOUTH BOULEVARD traveling west to the intersection with INDEPENDENCE is it not possible to go straight or turn left at the light and why can we not make a right turn on red at that intersection?
I can understand why that was back before the flyover was put in but now that the flyover's there, it seems like the intersection is no more congested or dangerous than any other intersection.
We should be able to make the same turns that could be made at the intersection of Virginia Beach and Independence boulevards. I'd like to see why the city doesn't change this intersection. Thanks.
RW: No right turn on red is allowed because looking south on Independence, there is a curve in the road as well as a bunch of shrubbery that obstruct a motorist's view. It also is a high speed area with people merging in several lanes.
As for making left turns or going straight, that phase was cut out when the intersection improvements were made so that engineers could cut down on the number of vehicles and the number of traffic patterns already at the intersection.
They figure that it only inconveniences a few people having to go to Edwin to go southbound on Independence. If they added two more phases to a signal that's already maxed out on phases, it would inconvenience many more people. 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