THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 6, 1996 TAG: 9607060024
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 34 lines
Four options for renumbering the interstates in Hampton Roads and nobody can agree (``Interstate renaming hits roadblock,'' MetroNews, June 21). So much for regionalism.
It appears to me that each city in the region has its own self-interest at heart; each wanting to reap some perceived benefit from the ``destination'' of each road. But the roads aren't being moved.
When I travel, I pick the destination first, the route second. I don't get on a road just to see where it ends. I find it hard to believe that motorists won't be able to find downtown Norfolk or the Virginia Beach Oceanfront because an Interstate number is 64 rather than 664.
The primary goal is to eliminate directional confusion. East goes west, west goes east. I-64 intersects twice with Military Highway, Route 17, I-264, I-664 in different cities.
Proper renumbering and directional signs will reduce confusion for visitors as well as residents and thus make directions easier to communicate and follow.
A better road system - whether it be the road surface, more lanes or clear directional signs - makes for happier motoring and happier visitors who will return to our region again and again.
I propose Option 5. Redesignate Route 44 to I-264. Redesignate I-64 from Bowers Hill to the Route 44 interchange as 664.
That's it. This most closely matches the physical layout of the roads and could be achieved with the fewest changes. West will then mean west, and east will be east - almost.
DOUGLAS A. WARD
Suffolk, June 23, 1996 by CNB