THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 2, 1996 TAG: 9608010139
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: The Road Warrior
LENGTH: 110 lines
Road got several calls this week from folks giving Road the thumbs-up for last week's column on the expansion of South Military Highway, a road project that has become more than a thorn in everyone's side. The project already has taken four years and the latest completion date has now been set for September. It would be different if the road was actually showing improvement.
Everyone who called Road agreed. It's a travesty for those who use the road and an embarrassment for the transportation department.
One caller also mentioned that aside from the mess on South Military Highway, construction is due to start on North Military Highway and will take at least three years.
It's true. The project calls for the widening of Military Highway from six to 10 lanes from I-264 to Poplar Hall Drive and from four to eight lanes from Poplar Hall to Lowery Road.
Also, a new urban interchange will be replacing the bridge and cloverleaf design at Virginia Beach Boulevard. The project's estimated cost is about $40 million.
This new project will be happening during the same time that the four guys actually working on South Military will be trying to finish up.
Expect major traffic snarls. Road suggests mapping out an alternate route now. Meanwhile, we'll keep our fingers crossed that the folks working on this next section of Military Highway are up to snuff and on the ball.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Joseph Schrank, no address given. There's a problem at EWELL ROAD and INDEPENDENCE BOULEVARD. In the last 30 days, there have been four collisions up there including the totaling of two or three cars and that's also the spot where six or seven months ago a lady was killed. They need to trim bushes and put police out there. There's a lot of things that they can do. It's a real bad place.
I know we have people running lights all over the city. I've been counting them. Maybe you can run columns in big black letters advising them about this. Appreciate anything you can do, shipmate.
RW: Engineers recently visited this area and erected signs warning motorists about the traffic signal ahead. Engineers say that the signal is sneaking up on folks, which is why there are a lot of southbound on Independence light runners and resulting accidents.
Have you noticed if the new sign has helped?
Leslie, Little Neck. I'm calling in regard to the article about the left turn on ROSEMONT ROAD off VIRGINIA BEACH BOULEVARD. The problem isn't the left-hand turners, the problem is the light has changed at BONNEY ROAD.
When the turn was first made and you were turning with the green light, the light at BONNEY would let you go through and now it's red when you reach it, backing everyone up. They've retimed the lights and that's what's causing the problem because the turners don't know when they're turning that they're going into a red light.
RW: Not a bad point, Leslie. Engineers say that they're considering every single thing in relation to their study of the area. This ``study'' has been going on for several weeks. Let's hope they intend to act on whatever they find. At the very least, they could go ahead and get those turn lanes properly marked.
Paul, no address given. On HOLLAND ROAD in front of the Chimney Hill Shopping Center a street light has been hanging there for many many months. What are they waiting for, for it to fall on a car and hit somebody? This is a dangerous situation.
RW: Apparently, Virginia Power is backed up with work.
It's not an engineering thing. Virginia Power owns all of our street lights and is responsible for turning them on, off and handling maintenance. Engineers say the light is secured and should be OK until the power folks show up to fix it or replace it.
Keith Davis, no address given. I am about fed up with these idiot intersection light runners. I had one almost nail me at PRINCESS ANNE and FERRELL PARKWAY.
Also, I've got a trivia question. The lines that run between the traffic going up to the stop light, the length of them, if you're running the speed limit if you're in those solid white lines up to the stop you'll make it through the light. If you're before it, between the white skips, you should stop. Ask the traffic engineers about it. I'll bet you that's true. Keep up the work there, Road buddy.
RW: Well, Keith, it sounds good but it's not true. The solid white lines are used only for lane designation markers and to let folks know that they're now in an area where they are not allowed to switch lanes.
Engineers say it's the function of the driver to make the determination of what is safe or not safe as far as a yellow light goes. And, of course, it's the driver who has to live with the consequences.
Ann James, Kempsville. First of all, where are the 45 mph speed limit signs on the newly open SOUTH PLAZA TRAIL from PRINCESS ANNE ROAD to INDEPENDENCE BOULEVARD?
Second, the light at HOLLAND ROAD and SOUTH PLAZA at 1:40 p.m. traveling south on South Plaza is green long enough to let only two cars through.
RW: Regarding your first question, the new section of South Plaza Trail does have 45 mph speed limit signs. One is placed near the South Independence intersection and another at the Princess Anne end. None is posted between those intersections because engineers say they aren't necessary.
Now, about that short light. Engineers say what's happening is this: If there are two cars sitting there waiting for the green light, the sensor reads the weight of the vehicle and actually feels the car go over (as in bump, bump). Once the second car's back tires hit the sensor and there are no others following, the sensor shuts down the light giving the yellow and then the red.
So, yes, it only allows two cars through if there are only two cars sitting there.
Now, if there are 10 cars sitting there and only two get through on a non-peak time then there are probably problems with the loop, or sensor, going bad.
It's your call, Ann. Which do you think it is? 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