THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 28, 1996 TAG: 9610250038
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 28 lines
Though I reside in Virginia Beach, I work in Portsmouth and utilize either the Midtown or Downtown tunnel.
Actually, I prefer the latter because, should it be backed up, there is an alternative, namely the Jordan Bridge. (This option is obviously not available at Midtown.) It is well worth the 50-cent toll not to be late for work.
What adds proverbial insult to injury, however, is that after going out of one's way to avoid Downtown Tunnel traffic backups, and paying the toll, one is not infrequently delayed because a section of the Jordan Bridge is raised to allow tall-masted pleasure craft to pass. This time of year, these boats are obviously carrying ``snowbirds'' to Florida. (Clearly, I have no problem with naval, Coast Guard or commercial boats, which I regard as essential.)
The poor slobs who are straining to get to work on time are forced to wait while the snowbirds, who have all the time in the world, leisurely glide by, oblivious to the plight of working people.
Those agencies that regulate river traffic ought to be more sensitive to the needs of the working class and specify hours of bridge-raising for nonessential pleasure craft.
ZEEV NEWMAN
Virginia Beach, Oct. 7, 1996 by CNB