THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 7, 1994 TAG: 9410060208
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: The Road Warrior
LENGTH: Long : 108 lines
Someone owes Andrea Thorstensen - the real Andrea Thorstensen - a big, fat apology.
An unknown woman called Road a couple of weeks ago and left this message, which Road used in last week's column:
Andrea Thorstensen, Meadow Crest Way. I think you're really sexy. Bye, honey.
RW: Wow! Now there's a woman who knows her stuff! Thanks, Andrea.''
Well, apparently, the caller wasn't Andrea. The caller was an imposter who used Andrea's name and address, and Andrea's catching a lot of flack for it.
You see, Andrea's happily married with three kids and is active in her church.
She's wondering how to explain to her 9-year-old son that she was not the one who wrote to the Road Warrior.
Road told Andrea we'd be happy to set the record straight. So, let it stand that the REAL Andrea Thorstensen doesn't think Road's the least bit sexy.
Pranks such as this hurt all readers, not just the person the jokester is out to get.
Now, Road's requesting that all callers leave a phone number for more information or confirmation. We can't print your concerns or comments unless you do. (We won't print your phone number.)
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Virginia, No Address Given. I drive Rosemont Road frequently between the Expressway and Holland Road and it looks like the highway department has installed reflectors to outline the traffic lanes. But, it looks like they've installed all the reflectors going the wrong way, since the side that reflects is backwards to the headlights. Have they really done this or am I seeing backwards? Thank you.
RW: No one's sure what you're seeing out there, Virginia. Carol Bowen with operations is having someone check to see what type of reflectors were laid on Rosemont. Believe it or not, sometimes they intentionally turn the reflectors around to show people that they're going the wrong way (they see the red side and not the white). We'll have to wait and see what the case is for Rosemont.
A note to Dan Sykes - Regarding Bonney Road. The road is scheduled to be restriped any day now. They're not redoing the whole road, just portions of it. But, as you know, Dan, there were a lot of portions that need restriped. Lets hope they get them all.
Kelly Chen, No Address Given. I'd like to know if there's anything the engineers can do to improve the safety of an intersection on General Booth Boulevard, between Oceana Boulevard and Dam Neck Road, where Oceana Boulevard and General Booth become one road. My complaint is that General Booth being the main road it gets a lot of traffic. I was just wondering if something could be done turning into the shopping center and getting out of the shopping center more safely.
RW: Actually, there has been some debate as to what to do with this area.
The proposed idea is that when construction for the First Colonial Road extension begins, Oceana Boulevard, or First Colonial Road (as it will be then), will hook up into Prosperity Road and then tie into General Booth Boulevard. That should make the traffic that now merges from Oceana onto General Booth a little lighter. Or at least stagger the flow.
The only problem with this solution is that it isn't going to happen until the First Colonial extension project begins and right now it's only in the design phase. It could be a year or more before it even starts.
As for a light there at the Booth Hill Shoppes, studies have already shown that there isn't enough traffic to warrant a signal. However, there are plans in the works for some type of commercial project on the east side of General Booth and Dam Neck Station Road, which could make the traffic count high enough to warrant a signal. Again, it could be a year or more before any of this takes place.
Joe Branford, No Address Given. The turn signal, left hand, on First Colonial that turns onto Great Neck Road. There is none and consequently the drivers think there is one and they keep pulling out in front of the traffic that's oncoming. It's a problem. Accidents have happened. Thank you. Bye.
Stenzorn, Laurel Cove. The issue of the intersection of First Colonial on Great Neck Road . . . The traffic turning left from First Colonial onto Great Neck refuses to yield to departing traffic from Laurel Cove as it crosses Great Neck and heads down First Colonial. There are near head-on collisions daily. The green light needs to be replaced with an arrow to tell people when to turn since they refuse to obey traffic laws and yield when they're supposed to.
The police need to monitor this situation. It's extremely dangerous. Thank you very much.
RW: Hmm. Tricky question. First, regarding those who don't yield to traffic coming straight out of Laurel Cove. Basically, they're breaking the law and if there's an accident they'll get ticketed for failure to yield.
As for changing that light to a left turn arrow, it isn't likely because there really isn't that much traffic coming out of Laurel Cove. Unless there are severe backups and a substantial accident problem that involves that specific movement, there isn't much that can be done. Engineers are checking the accident statistics to see if there's a noticeable problem there.
Remember also, if a left turn arrow is installed, that means there'll be less green time for folks on the main roads.
Anyway, until the vote comes in, it sounds like this would be an excellent place for a little police enforcement. That's if the cop feels like hanging around to catch people who aren't yielding. Sorry there isn't a better answer Road can give you. 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, phone number, address and
neighborhood. by CNB