THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 7, 1995 TAG: 9504060161
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: The Road Warrior
LENGTH: Long : 122 lines
Well, folks, as you read this column, Road is lounging peacefully on a Bahamian beach, sipping iced tea and watching the dolphins play.
The furthest thing from Road's mind will be the rat race and traffic snarls. But, alas, you guys are still here (sniff, sniff) and probably counting on some sort of news, other than the price of Bahama Mamas. So, here goes:
If you're a regular buyer of tokens and toll ticket books for Route 44, only buy what you're sure you'll need. Those pre-purchased tickets are not exchangeable or refundable.
And, if Gov. Allen's resolution is passed, the tolls will be removed in June rather than in July, which was the original plan. So, don't buy any more than you'll absolutely need or you may be stuck holding a useless book.
Another interesting fact came to light this week, courtesy of a gentleman who called the newspaper office.
The gentleman, who isn't interested in having his named published, mentioned that as a handicapped citizen with the appropriate stickers, he was entitled to free metered parking anywhere in the city.
And he's right. On page 29 of the 1994-95 Virginia Driver's Manual there is a list of things allowed by those with handicapped driving privileges. Included on this list is ``parking in metered parking spaces without paying the fee.''
Also included is ``parking for up to 4 hours in any parking space with time restrictions during the hours allowed for general parking.''
According to the city's office of Parking Systems Management, handicapped folks aren't invited to park free at the municipal lots. They have to pay full price like everyone else. But the metered spots are free.
It's certainly past time to educate the public on the rights of the handicapped.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Jaron Matlow, no address given. At the intersection of INDIAN RIVER ROAD and FERRELL PARKWAY, when you're on Indian River and you have to go across it to regain Indian River at Ferrell Parkway, they continue to have really bad accidents because of how badly laid out that is.
Why doesn't the city make that area so that if you want to go on Indian River you have to turn left on Ferrell Parkway from Indian Lakes and make a no crossing there to avoid the crashes.
Thank you.
RW: Ferrell Parkway was designed years and years ago so engineers had to work with what was already there.
They actually made improvements to the area when they gave those heading down Ferrell Parkway an exclusive left lane.
Before that, it was two lanes going up Ferrell, toward Kempsville, and folks had to pull into the median to merge into two lanes of high-speed traffic.
Now, those who come from Indian Lakes Boulevard, as long as they stay in the left-most lane to accelerate and merge, they should be fine.
Engineers have also erected signs - two on Ferrell Parkway approaching Indian River and a sign for those turning off Indian Lakes Boulevard onto Ferrell Parkway.
The road was really a feeder road for the Lake Christopher neighborhood. Engineers say shutting it down will only result in more traffic on Indian Lakes Boulevard.
Due to the number of signs, engineers say if folks will just pay attention to the traffic patterns and signs, there shouldn't be major problems there.
Don't get Road wrong. Accidents happen everywhere, but most of the time they're due to people not paying attention rather than a badly designed roadway.
Jeff Diabler, no address given. We need a street light at the corner of COLUMBUS LOOP and CONSTITUTION where they just built the movie theaters.
It's a very hazardous intersection, and there have been numerous accidents there already.
RW: Well, the plan for that area at this writing is to reverse the traffic patterns, sort of.
Engineers plan to remove the stop sign on Constitution and put it on Columbus. Those who come east on Columbus Street heading for the light at Virginia Beach Boulevard will now be stopped at a stop sign in front of the movie theaters and will have to make a left to continue onto Constitution and then to the Boulevard. Constitution traffic heading south will be allowed to continue straight into the apartment complex without stopping.
They're basically reversing the stop signs that are now there. This will happen as soon as the weather clears enough to change the scenario.
For those with questions about the current scenario, which is two stop signs, one in a barrel, on Constitution, here's the lowdown:
For those folks turning right off Constitution onto Columbus, technically you do not have to stop because the sign is to your left, meaning only those turning left or going straight must stop. With the heavy traffic, however, it's wise for right-turners to go ahead and stop too to see what's coming out of the theater parking lot.
Another interesting note - there will be a signal installed at the intersection of Cleveland Street and Kellam Road. If you remember, engineers changed that pattern to accommodate the heavy traffic on Cleveland Street. The changed pattern has helped but there's still enough traffic traveling the area to warrant a signal.
So, keep your eyes open for the change, although it probably won't happen for several months.
John Pillow, no address given. I'm calling about the light at INDEPENDENCE and CONSTITUTION. Since they blocked off Constitution that light is still functioning the same as it did.
This is a waste of time for people traveling on Independence. The light should be removed or recycled. Thank you.
RW: Well, right now, John, that area is under construction so that signal is on a fixed time, meaning it'll switch to the side street whether someone is there or not.
Now, once the construction is finished that signal will be fine-tuned once again. But, as far as removing it goes, that won't happen because of the amount of traffic on Jericho and Constitution who are trying to get out of their neighborhood to get onto Independence, too.
Engineers did say they'd be happy to recheck the signal's timing to be sure that the side streets aren't being served for too long a time. 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