THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 4, 1995 TAG: 9508030181
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: The Road Warrior
SOURCE: The Road Warrior
LENGTH: Long : 122 lines
This is the week Road promised to tell you folks about the ``coffee cup challenge,'' presented to Road by reader Brenda Boldin of Bally Lynn Farms.
Here's what Brenda wrote:
``A challenge for you: Take Sparrow Road to Indian River Road and turn right, heading toward Military Highway. Be sure to stop at the McDonald's at the next light and get a cup of their infamously hot coffee. Remove lid from coffee and place cup in cup holder.
``Proceed to Military Highway. At this intersection there are two lanes to turn left onto Military Highway. Use the right lane of these two to make your turn. Continue on Military Highway to Route 44 (it's actually I-264) on-ramp. Once on 44, check the cup of coffee for contents.
``I believe your readers would appreciate knowing how much coffee was left in the cup after your short journey down a highway you seem to think is in much better shape these days.
``This challenge must be taken during a time period when traffic allows you to drive the 45 mph speed limit on Military Highway.''
Brenda presented the challenge, so Road took it.
Road and an accomplice set out to see if what Brenda says is true. We skipped the Sparrow Road part of the trip and instead went straight to the mentioned McDonald's on the corner of McDonald and Indian River roads.
Because we hate coffee, we bought a large Coke for the test.
We placed the Coke in the car's middle console and beat feet for Military Highway. We got in the right lane of the two left-turn lanes and sat for about four seconds before we got the green, punched the gas pedal and around the turn we went. About midway through the turn, we hit a huge crater-like hole and our drink pitched enough to empty several drops.
However, once we continued down Military Highway, with what was left of our drink still in the console, we didn't hit any bumps large enough to jar our drink again. And yes, we did 45 mph the whole way.
Aside from testing Brenda's spilt drink theory, we saw what we considered to be fairly interesting - a tow truck that was actually towing a car that was harnessed and hanging sideways.
Anyway, back to Brenda. Brenda is somewhat correct in her observations of a rocky roadway. However, Road still stands by the comment that last year you wouldn't have been able to drink and drive anything down this road. Heck, you couldn't even eat a burger the holes were so bad.
Things are progressing even though the project is a full year behind and will be another year before it's completed. In June, it was about 83 percent complete.
So, Brenda, thanks for the challenge and next time you're on Military Highway you may want to invest in a colder drink.
And another thing. On the way to work one fine morn this week, Road noticed a lot of, well, dead things on the road.
The hot weather must be drawing all the critters out, only to be met head-on by a couple of tons of steel. It just ain't pretty and if you ever see something like that lying on the side of the road, or if you're the culprit that did the dirty work, pick up the phone and call Animal Control (427-5000) to scoop up the carcass so Road doesn't have to eat breakfast twice. If it's on the interstate call the State Police (424-6820).
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Larry Pugh, no address given. There is more than one branch of DMV in Virginia Beach. I have been to the one south of Independence Boulevard, down near Princess Anne Road. Check your facts. You said there has only been one.
RW: Correction! Road said that the Mustang Trail office of DMV ``was the first and only branch of DMV that has served Virginia Beach since 1971.''
Well, that's true. It was the only one in 1971 and the oldest in the city.
Anyway, the branch you speak of is Buckner Boulevard, that's been around about five years. The Lynnhaven Mall branch closed this year due to the limited number of customers.
Winnie Williams, no address given. Entering SHORE DRIVE from STARFISH ROAD to go east there is a ``no turn on red'' sign. Automobiles continue to make that turn. Also turning onto Shore Drive, going east, is another ``no turn on red'' sign which people never stop at. What's the purpose of the sign?
RW: We may not pay much attention to the signs, but the police expect us to and when we don't, we can expect big trouble. There aren't enough policemen to be everywhere, but maybe they'll take the hint and give Shore Drive and Starfish Road a look.
Jim Hurston, Hilltop. Seems like ever since they paved FIRST COLONIAL ROAD, north of LASKIN the traffic congestion has really increased. It appears that they have the left-turn signal working regardless of whether there's a car. You have to wait through a full cycle even though there's no cars to turn left. Can you check with the engineers to see if they're going to correct that? One bad place is where you turn left to go into Hilltop West, it's backing up into the intersection there near the Twin B.
RW: Yep, Jim, sounds like that signal's on automatic. Engineers can check that out to see what's going on. And paving? That doesn't have a thing to do with the traffic signal's operation, unless of course, the paving guys accidentally hit the signal's underground loops, the things that detect a car's presence. Either way, Road will pass this one on to the appropriate folks.
Millie Barrows, no address given. I have a question about the SHOULDER LANE heading east on Route 44. Why is that thing always closed? In the morning, going west, it's always opened.
Have they changed their mind about allowing us to use that shoulder lane? In the 5 p.m. traffic, it sure would be handy to leave that open.
RW: Millie, dear, where have you been? The eastbound shoulder lanes have been closed since the toll booth was removed and will stay closed until all toll booth removal work is complete. The final completion date is November.
Virginia Department of Transportation officials say they have elected to close the lane and keep it closed because they'll be rerouting traffic and closing that shoulder lane as part of the work where the toll plaza used to be. So, if you were to use the shoulder lane, you'd only have to merge back into regular traffic before the Rosemont Road exit. 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.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