THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 31, 1996 TAG: 9605290158
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: The Road Warrior
SOURCE: The Road Warrior
LENGTH: 107 lines
Road got a couple of calls last week from frantic Bow Creek residents who wanted to know what was going on with all the dump trucks in their neighborhood.
Road made a few phone calls and found out that the dump trucks are there in conjunction with a major public works project to improve drainage in the area. What they're doing right now is digging a stormwater retention pond on the Bow Creek Golf Course, which is why all the trucks are driving back and forth dumping sand. This portion of the project should be finished by July 1. That's when the golf course will reopen.
Then, workers will go back in and replace the culvert (or pipe that water drains from) at Clubhouse Road and Bow Creek Boulevard.
The third step calls for a pump station to be built on the golf course. The whole project should be finished by December 1997.
As for the dump truck traffic and spilled sand that everyone is worrying about, the contractor should be sweeping the streets on a regular basis.
Also, some of the roads in the neighborhood are deteriorating due to a harsh winter and heavy traffic. These spots will be patched. Engineers say they came out and alerted the neighborhood about what was going to happen a couple months back at the civic league meeting.
And, really, a few months of sand and traffic is well worth keeping your houses above water.
Out of the city's $28 million Storm Water Capital Improvement Program, $5 million (or almost 20 percent) is going into your neighborhood. Can't complain too much about that.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Walter Smith, no address given. Just calling to tell you that the saga continues. The MILITARY HIGHWAY mess between INDIAN RIVER and the I-264 line is just the biggest road construction mess that's ever been done.
I think the contractor should never be hired in the state of Virginia.
Can you give us an update on when they're expected to be finished? They seem to be only working on the weekend or times when they can get two or three people together. Thanks, Road.
RW: May I call you, Walt, Walt? Military Highway has been a sore spot for a long time. However, there is an end in sight. The project's scheduled to be complete by the end of June.
Right now, they're working on medians, signals and pavement detectors. When those things are finished, they'll come back and top the whole thing off with a layer of asphalt. Don't blame the contractor too much on this one. The real delay came when a year's worth of work was added onto the original project's description. That work came as a result of the wishes of residents and businesses on both sides of Military Highway.
Steve Marshall, Beach Borough. I was just wondering if you could check to see if they still make cars with ashtrays in them?
I have to wonder because it seems I can't drive anywhere without seeing someone throwing a cigarette out the window. It seems to be happening more and more and it's not limited to any single type person either.
If they don't want to dirty up their ashtrays, what do they think they're doing to the landscape? Come on, people! If you're going to smoke, at least be responsible enough to clean up after yourself.
RW: You and Smokey the Bear have a lot in common. Ole Smokey would have a fit if he could see all the butts flying nowadays.
Allison Pinyon, no address given. Calling about the problem on I-64 east. When are they ever going to complete that road? It seems like they've been doing construction on that highway for months and months. It'd be nice if we could get that road completed before the winter. Thanks. Bye.
RW: Fat chance on the project being finished before winter.
In fact, it's not scheduled for completion until the end of 1997.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is in the midst of adding one lane and an HOV lane to the east and westbound sides of I-64 between Indian River Road and Battlefield Boulevard. The project also includes the widening and rebuilding of the railroad bridge just before Battlefield Boulevard.
After this project is wrapped up, VDOT plans to re-do the whole Battlefield interchange.
Bob Mullins, Arrowhead. Why don't they make the turn signal lights at PRINCESS ANNE and WITCHDUCK a delayed green and let the through traffic clear east and west on Princess Anne Road so that the people who want to make a left turn can get into the turn lanes. The turn lanes are short both east and west. I think that might clear up some of the problems at the intersection.
RW: Well, Bob, your plans sounds OK, except all you're doing is getting people into the turn lanes. You said yourself the turn lanes are very very short so, in actuality, your plan would only serve about five or six cars and that would only be to get them in the turn lane. It wouldn't help them turn faster.
Hopefully, one day soon, there'll be some news on this intersection. The city has requested that the Department of Transportation do a study of the area to see what the options are. We'll keep you posted on the progress.
Jennifer, Kings Grant. What is the deal with the ROSEMONT ROAD exit off ROUTE 44 and the truck station right there? Are we merging with trucks when we get off the exit? I'd appreciate knowing. Thanks, bye.
RW: VDOT is still putting the finishing touches on the work associated with dismantling the old toll booth. Right now, work is being done to extend the shoulder lane to Rosemont Road, which is why all the barricades are out there.
All the work should be finished by mid- to late June, at which time the whole shebang will be turned over to the State Police because they're the folks who will man and operate the truck inspection station. As for the merging thing, VDOT officials believe there is enough room between the inspection station and Rosemont Road to allow trucks and cars to merge with no problems. 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