THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 22, 1994 TAG: 9407210179
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: The Road Warrioro
LENGTH: Long : 124 lines
All you folks with cellular phones better listen up. The Virginia Department of Transportation has implemented a phone line to be used exclusively for construction updates (dealing with lane closure) and tunnel traffic advisories.
The service began last week, and callers with a touch tone phone can pick one of three categories for information: traffic reports at area tunnels and bridges, updated every 15 minutes during rush hour and every hour thereafter, lane closures on the southside and lane closures on the Peninsula, updated at 4 p.m. daily.
The phone number is 640-0055 from the southside; 727-4864 from the Peninsula; and 1-800-792-2800 statewide.
Callers also can call Infoline at 640-5555 and punch in category 7874 to reach the service.
Road tried the southside number that lists current lane closures, and the date and times they'll be closed.
Keep in mind when using these phone numbers for lane closures that VDOT is doing pavement repairs that will last all summer on some roads like the Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway.
But, the update you'll get this week will say two lanes on 44 from Witchduck to the toll plaza will be closed for pavement repair from 10 p.m. to 2 p.m. the next day from July 18 to 29.
Well, that's true. But, it's not the whole project's status, and July 29 is not the last day they'll be out there working. It may be the last day they'll be out working in that particular area, between Witchduck and the toll plaza, but it's not the last day of the work on 44. As Road said earlier, that'll be going on throughout the summer.
Anyway, the numbers are a good idea and a long time coming.
P.S. LONDON BRIDGE UPDATE: To all those folks who called about the slow left-turn lane from London Bridge Road onto Dam Neck, an engineer checked it out late last week and has adjusted the timing somewhat to allow folks more time to clear the intersection on the left-turning green arrow, before it goes to a circular, permissive green.
Realize, also, that the additional time doesn't mean another full minute to dilly-dally. It means you've been given a few extra seconds, so paying attention when that light goes to a green arrow is important.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
William L. Tatum, no address given. I'm calling about the traffic signal at 22nd Street and Pacific, heading north. They're supposed to have a left-turn arrow there and it hasn't worked for ages.
Also, on 44, the expressway, they have places marked for construction and it's been that way for months. Why don't they open it up and let people use it?
RW: Engineers said they'd check the turn arrow to see if the bulb is burnt out or what's going on. Incidentally, if you see what you think is a burnt bulb, you can call Traffic Operations directly to report it, at 427-7440.
As for your second concern, the work you speak of, this particular area anyway, is being done at night. Hence, you see no reason for the closing of the shoulder lane during the day. Riding those shoulder lanes are dangerous, except during the allotted time. Even then they're dangerous, because what if someone breaks down in one?) So Road doubts seriously that VDOT would sanction the use of the closed shoulder lane for all-day traffic.
Kathy Yee, Glenwood. We have an intersection at South Independence and Roundhill where we have had numerous accidents in the past. We have signed a couple of petitions for a stoplight. The latest accident, there were seven emergency vehicles. The latest thing we have now is two stop signs on each post at either side of Roundhill. Maybe you'd like to come out and take a look at this and see if you could help us get a traffic light.
RW: You're right, Kathy. Several folks in the neighborhood have been calling for a light. And as you know, their calls are not getting action. That's because, according to engineers, traffic lights cannot be erected without certain requirements being met.
For instance, since South Independence is a main road, there would have to be from 500 to 600 vehicles on the road for eight consecutive hours to meet the warrants for a light at Roundhill.
Currently, there are about 200 cars per hour on South Independence, way below the number needed to warrant a signal.
But, there could be an answer when Independence is extended to Indian River Road. Engineers say there's a good possibility that, at that time, there will be enough traffic to warrant a signal at Roundhill. Road's sure it's the same song and dance your neighbors have heard, but there's really nothing else to say about it. Sorry.
Nathan Hall, no address given. Hey, man. Here's my question: If you're going across Aragona at the Virginia Beach Boulevard intersection, if you're coming from the southside of the Boulevard going north on Aragona, the problem is you've got people making a left-hand turn and they forget to yield the right-of-way to the cars going straight.
How about getting them to change the light there and making it a left-hand turn light so those people have a chance to turn and the people going straight can go straight without having any accidents. I've seen it happen there a few times before, and I don't want to be one of them.
RW: Nathan, it's another case of what Road calls the Tidewater Trance, when no one knows how to yield on a circular green to oncoming traffic. You have to watch the idiots who either didn't get the right information in driver's training or want to drive by their own rules.
Either way, engineers don't install traffic signals to help hinder people's stupidity. Plus, if engineers added a green arrow (in addition to time for a circular green after the arrow goes out), you're talking a delay for the main street, the Boulevard. Then the ton of folks driving the Boulevard would have a fit because they had to sit a few seconds longer.
Mark Law, Virginia Beach. I'm calling to complain about the bicyclists on Great Neck Road. Bicyclists always complain that there are no bike paths for them to ride on. There's one on Great Neck Road from one end of it to the other end of it. It's about seven or eight feet wide, and there are bicycle signs all along that sidewalk, but they refuse to use that bike path and they ride in the road.
RW: One argument you may hear from the bicyclists (that Road has often heard) is that their fancy-shmancy bikes can't handle the bumps in the concrete on a bike trail. That's about the best excuse Road has heard for not riding on the trails. Some bicyclists even feel that they are a motorist and should be able to ride on our roads, without following the same rules we do.
Road has plenty to say on this subject, none of it printable. 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