THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 12, 1996 TAG: 9601110138
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: The Road Warrior
LENGTH: Long : 113 lines
For all those interested in the suggested improvements for Shore Drive, please read this.
Road's getting a lot of calls from folks who are truly disgusted that engineers have recommended ``spending a large amount of money to remove trees just because a few people chose to drive recklessly,'' as one caller put it.
Well, listen up, that's not the case at all. Engineers have come up with these recommendations for sober folks, like you and me, not for the drunks because there's no helping them. You could cut down a forest and a drunk will still find something to plow into.
Engineers are interested in improving the conditions alongside Shore Drive so that the mom who takes her eyes off the road for just a second to tend to a child will have plenty of shoulder room to correct herself if there's a mistake.
The project particulars, as proposed by engineers, are as follows:
Every tree to be cut down along Shore Drive is within 15 feet of the road. It's not going to be a ``wholesale slaughterhouse'' for the trees. Engineers propose removing roughly one tree every 50 feet. Many of the trees slated for removal have scars on them because they're too close to the road and have already been hit by sober drivers.
There will be 336 trees cut down on the westbound right hand side of Shore Drive. That sounds like a lot but in enhanced before and after pictures shown of three different areas, you can't even tell there's a tree missing from the picture!
There will be six trees cut down on the left side of the road in the median in the westbound direction. There will be three trees cut in the eastbound direction's median.
That brings the total number of trees cut to 345.
The proposal also calls for continued police enforcement, bigger and more speed limit signs, installation of shoulder space, the additions of mile post markers, rumble strips in the shoulders and additional guard rails. All of this work is slated for 3.2 miles of the westbound direction.
Engineers first presented their recommendations at two public hearings that were held in September. A total of 12 people showed up to voice concerns or get information.
The proposal is going for a final vote by City Council on Jan. 23. If the project's approved, construction (about four month's worth) probably wouldn't start until next fall and would be completed in time for the '97 tourist season.
Engineers feel that these are little things that can be done to help the safe and sober driver. The road is not user friendly. There's absolutely no room for mistakes and why not take the hazards away? It only makes sense to remove a few trees that are too close to the road. Engineers swear that the road's appearance and character will not be changed.
Anyone who's interested in having a look at the before and after pictures of the targeted area is invited by engineers to do so. Call 427-4131.
Road'd be happy to bet that you will hardly notice the difference once those trees are gone. I'd stake my job on it.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Charlene Nimiec, no address given. The left hand turn signal heading south on KEMPSVILLE ROAD to turn left onto INDIAN RIVER ROAD lasts a couple of seconds and only lets three cars through.
RW: Charlene. You're not the only one who's called about this turn signal. In fact, Road was sitting at the light to go straight on Kempsville and noticed exactly what you've said. Road saw three cars go through and the third car was moving on a yellow. Road called engineers who said that the timing could be skewed somewhat and that they'll check it out.
Danny, no address given. I'm calling about the intersection at PACIFIC AVENUE and 22nd STREET, heading west. There are four lanes to go straight but once you cross over, you're right in the middle of the lane.
Can you check on that?
RW: There are three lanes on the east side and four lanes on the west side of the intersection, that's why the left most lane appears to be off center once you cross over. That means you have to compensate somewhat according to the lines but it's not that big of a deal and should be self-explanatory.
Janie, Virginia Beach. My problem is at the BAYSIDE HOSPITAL entrance and exit on INDEPENDENCE BOULEVARD. Try getting out of there to make a left hand turn onto Independence. It's terrible. I never realized there were so many accidents there until I went to visit a friend.
You can't even get out of the place and it's a hospital.
RW: It's true, Janie. There is no light there to give the green light to folks turning left. But, there is a light to the right of the hospital at Saint Luke Road that you can use instead of waiting to go left at Independence.
Also, that median on Independence is wide and should give you plenty of room to sit while waiting for the all-clear.
Mr. Hirst, Pembroke. On INDEPENDENCE, heading north towards the Route 44 overpass, the crash barrier appears to have been run into about a month ago. Is that metal sticking up and out as dangerous as it looks? Are they going to repair it and when?
RW: Ah, you speak of the $12,000 guardrail that's already been creamed by folks three different times. Four now.
It was hit nearly a month ago and there are plans to replace it. In the meantime, it's still sitting there because a twisted rail is better than no rail at all.
Luanna Reeves, no address given. I was calling in regards to your article about school buses. Don't they fall under the oversized vehicles?
My husband drives a semi and he got a ticket for an oversized vehicle. It's a lot smaller than a school bus. Check into it.
RW: No, Luanna, buses are not considered ``oversized vehicles.''
We'll visit this topic in detail in next week's column. Stay tuned. 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