Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 16, 1995 TAG: 9505160084
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY REED
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
J.L., Roanoke
A: The organizing committee, Cycle Roanoke Valley, provided some sponsorship information.
However, in the interests of keeping the good will of corporate backers for the tour's hoped-for return next year, dollar amounts are revealed in only a couple of cases.
Local sponsors could contribute anywhere from $250 to $20,000, and some of the gifts were noncash items such as hot dogs and drinks.
First Union was one of the larger sponsors, said Donovan Young, a member of the organizing committee.
Food Lion, whose logo was on the leader's yellow jersey, didn't participate locally. Nationally, Food Lion put in between $250,000 and $400,000, Young said.
Altogether, 25 local sponsors made cash contributions and about 50 made in-kind gifts, with the last sponsor signing up just 26 hours before the tour came to Roanoke.
In Roanoke, the only companies giving cash prizes to the riders were Cox Cable, which gave $1,500 to the time trial's winner, and John Deere health insurance, which gave $1,000 for the fastest climb up 12 O'Clock Knob.
About $102,000 was needed locally, and the committee is close to making the goal, Young said.
Webber's slowdown
Q: Why does the 45 mph speed limit for Webber Highway construction start so far away from the work site?
H.C., Roanoke
A: It's a mile and a half from the first 45 mph sign to the Elm Avenue bridge where the work begins.
But if that seems overcautious or heavy-handed on the enforcement side, consider this: 22 fatalities in Virginia work zones in 1994.
Traffic experts don't know why that number nearly tripled from eight the previous year. They just know the most likely solution is an orderly flow of vehicles when lanes are narrow and traffic is heavy.
Spreading a large number of signs over a long approach helps drivers with highway fatigue to see at least one warning and slow down before reaching the work area.
Buck Mountain light
Q: I live off Buck Mountain Road, and we have been told a stoplight will be installed at the intersection with U.S. 220. When will that occur?
M.H., Roanoke County
A: The light will be in by late fall unless there's a major disruption in the work schedule, the Department of Transportation says.
This light will require another set of flashing lights several hundred yards uphill from Buck Mountain Road so truck drivers can start applying brakes early on that downgrade.
Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Maybe we can find the answer.
by CNB