THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 21, 1996 TAG: 9606200141
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: The Road Warrior
LENGTH: 111 lines
Have you folks out in the Level Green/College Park area noticed anything lately about the traffic signal at Providence and Indian River roads?
In response to a citizen's request, traffic engineers recently improved the intersection. Traffic heading west on Indian River Road and turning left onto Providence traditionally filled the whole left turn lane and backed up to the next signal, about 200 yards away, at Level Green Boulevard.
To remedy the problem, engineers went out and designated a straight through lane as a left turn lane. Now, there are dual left turns from Indian River onto Providence meaning there is twice the room for folks who want to turn. Engineers also provided a protected/permissive (green arrow, green ball) signal for folks on both sides of Providence turning onto Indian River in either direction.
Engineers first tried to alleviate some of the backup by coordinating the green signal at Level Green with the green left turn at Providence. The vehicle numbers proved to be too high to make this work like they wanted, hence the new dual lefts.
Another intersection modification is coming soon at Great Neck and First Colonial roads. Engineers are in the midst of designing the intersection to include dual left turns heading southbound on Great Neck and turning onto First Colonial. There will also be permissive/protected left turns from First Colonial Road, heading south, on Great Neck.
Another aspect they're considering for the area is dual rights from First Colonial Road onto Great Neck Road heading north. That last bit isn't set in concrete yet but they're thinking about it.
Yet another positive change will be happening at the Oceanfront. From Atlantic to Pacific, nearly all the traffic signals that sport pedestrian signals and ``no turn on red'' signs will be changed to ``right turns must yield to pedestrian'' signs.
The ``no turn on red'' signs were installed because pedestrians were practically being mowed over by those who didn't stop to turn right or yield to walkers. A study done by engineering showed that the ``right turns must yield to pedestrian'' sign is as effective at getting folks to yield as the ``no turn on red'' signs.
The ``no turn on red signs'' got folks to stop but when there were no pedestrians, traffic was still stopped. This way, those who want can stop and then make their right turn without backing everyone up. But, pedestrians still have the right of way so you have to yield to them first.
A note: This is in reference to last week's call from Debra Lee about whether the ball field in the Charlestowne South neighborhood would remain if and when Lynnhaven Parkway comes through to Centerville in 1998. Road got a call this week from an engineer who said that as it stands now, the design for Lynnhaven Parkway in this area has the road curving beside the ball field. So, it looks like it will remain.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Joe McGarrigle, no address given. This has to do with BONNEY ROAD turning onto INDEPENDENCE. The turn lanes are clearly noted that you should stay in your lane. The right hand lane of the left turn lanes leads onto ROUTE 44. Most people ignore it because there is no sign that says that lane is for Route 44 and there are always people shifting lanes in the middle of the turn, leading to possible accidents. It's very dangerous.
RW: Actually, Joe, there is a sign that shows that the right left turn lane is for Route 44 only. It's stuck in the median. There are also overhead signs with directional arrows to show the correct lanes. Unfortunately, there is no sign that says, ``No idiots allowed.''
Marc Orlicke, Virginia Beach. On LYNNHAVEN PARKWAY heading south, the left turn signal on CHERIE DRIVE, which is opposite SOUTH LYNNHAVEN, always turns green whether there are cars there or not. I think it's one of those famous loop problems, so if you could get someone to check it out I'd appreciate it.
RW: Hey, Marc, you have this traffic engineering thing down. A bad loop is exactly what it sounds like and engineers say they'll send someone to check it out.
April Adams, Princess Anne. At the Municipal Center at the intersection of PRINCESS ANNE and NORTH LANDING roads you could sit as long as five or 10 minutes to take a left. I think that a street light or traffic signal would be sufficient at that intersection and I just wanted to let you know. Thanks.
RW: No doubt the area gets a little congested around 4:30 or 5 because that's when all the city workers head home. The problem is that the intersection also has several buildings within very close proximity which would make installing a signal difficult to say the least. However, engineers are aware of the rush-hour problem and are working on a solution.
The following wrote to Road:
L.P., Oceanfront. As tourist season approaches, I foresee a lot of accidents at the intersection of 21ST STREET and PACIFIC AVENUE. Twenty-first Street has four one-way lanes before the intersection and three lanes after the intersection. The far right lane is for right turns only. The right middle lane now has the option to go straight or turn right. A similar arrangement occurs on the left and left middle lanes. The problem is that the drivers in the far right and far left lanes think they have the option to go straight too. I have witnessed several ``near accidents'' because the far right hand lane vehicle thinks he can go straight and the pavement markings tell the right middle lane driver that he can turn right. The local traffic, myself included, is having a tough time adapting to the new traffic pattern. This is particularly troublesome to our visitors from out of town who do not know the roads. The solution to this problem could be as easy as painting turn lines through the intersection like the city has done in larger intersections and the addition of a ``right lane must turn right'' sign. I appreciate your attention to this matter.
RW: The right middle lane has the option to go straight or turn right?
Engineers are going to check this one out to be sure we're all thinking along the same lines here. Road's had the complaint before when the pattern was first changed and at this point, engineers want to go check it out for themselves. 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