THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 25, 1996 TAG: 9610240140
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: THE ROAD WARRIOR
SOURCE: THE ROAD WARRIOR
LENGTH: 104 lines
In the 1996-97 Capital Improvement Program budget, $250,000 has been set aside to fund a preliminary study and conceptual design for the proposed extension of Constitution Drive.
The project was first noted in the 1984-88 CIP and later deferred. A revised project was requested but not funded in the 1995-96 CIP.
The project calls for construction of a four-lane divided highway and bridge on Constitution Drive. The lanes will wind through from Constitution into the Sunnybrook neighborhood (off Bonney Road) down to Thalia Creek where a bridge will be built.
Then, two additional lanes from Southern Boulevard in Thalia Village will be built and connected to the bridge at Constitution. The project also includes 1,470 feet of a two-lane road from Bonney Road to a cul-de-sac adjacent to Route 44.
The project is supposed to provide an alternate route for drivers who use Independence Boulevard in the Pembroke area. It's also supposed to improve access to proposed commercial and industrial developments in the area.
If you can figure the project out on a map, you'll see that itwould enable folks to drive from Pembroke in the Central Business District straight down Constitution to Bonney Road. In other words, if the study deems that the project is really needed, folks won't have to travel Independence to get to Bonney Road any longer.
Road'll keep you informed of the progress of the study.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Janet Thomas, Charlestowne Lakes South. I was wondering if there are any plans to completely finish LYNNHAVEN PARKWAY all the way to CENTERVILLE TURNPIKE?
Are they ever going to put a sidewalk going down CENTERVILLE TURNPIKE? Thanks.
RW: There are plans to construct Lynnhaven Parkway from Indian River Road to Centerville, about 2.1 miles.
However, according to the 96-97 proposed Capital Improvement Program, construction won't start until sometime around 1998 and won't finish until the year 2001.
Road hasn't heard of any sidewalk construction plans on Centerville.
Darlena, no address given. My problem is with the answer you gave to the man about the white lines on ROUTE 44. Those lines are impossible to see. In the morning, in the dark and when it's raining you have no idea where you're driving. Something needs to be done about it. Both of us have asked the question so give us an answer this time, Road. Thanks.
RW: It seems, Darlena, that Road did in fact forget to answer the questions about lines on Route 44. Let me redeem myself.
This is the deal: The Virginia Department of Transportation is still in the process of replacing joints on Route 44. When that's done, they will diamond grind the whole thing to make it smooth. This project in itself will probably continue into next spring or summer (in the winter, when it gets too cold, all work ceases). That means that the lines they really want to install can't be installed until the diamond grinding is done.
However, as an interim measure, line painting will take place in the worst spots, says Dennis Gribok, a VDOT engineer.
In fact, VDOT has already taken a paint can to the western portion of Route 44 and they're willing to entertain the idea for other spots as well.
Michelle, Virginia Beach. This is concerning the intersection of BONNEY ROAD and INDEPENDENCE BOULEVARD. When you're heading west on Bonney Road to make a left turn, people are not getting into the right lane and at the last minute they're swerving over to the inside left turn lane to avoid getting onto ROUTE 44.
People out there need to know they're not getting in the right lane when they're turning and it's going to cause a lot of accidents. There are some new signs up but, I'd appreciate it if you print it again. Maybe it'll reach some of the people out there. Thank you.
RW: Funny you mention this scenario, Michelle, because Road watched two cars out of four at this intersection do the very thing you mentioned. What is it with
people and this area? The signs are there for all to see. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out. The right left turn lane is for Route 44 access only. The inside left turn lane is for Route 44 access and to go straight, or south, on Independence Boulevard.
Wake up, folks.
Steve McGraw, no address given. I was just calling about a few lights on ROUTE 44 that are out from the off ramp on I-64 onto Route 44. There's like four lights out. I know you can get some light on the subject.
RW: Hey, Steve, thanks for all the faith. Road reported the outages to VDOT.
You'd think changing a light bulb would be pretty simple, eh? Wrong.
This is the deal on the Route 44 lights. The poles are 100 feet in the air and there are six bulbs per light. That means, to change a single bulb the pole must be mechanically lowered. What usually happens is the VDOT light man waits until two or three bulbs have blown in a light before he goes out to lower the light and change the bulbs. Also, there's no stockpile of these light bulbs or poles. They're ordered as they're needed.
L.A. Williams, Holland Road. There's a vacant lot on the corner of HOLLAND ROAD and SILVERLEAF DRIVE, just east of where Holland and Independence split. We'd appreciate it if you could give us any information as to the possibility of the Virginia Department of Transportation making this a park and ride site.
RW: VDOT is planning a park and ride lot on this site that borders Silverleaf Drive about a block back from where Independence and Holland Road split.
According to VDOT engineers, the lot's location is perfect because it'll be an easy in and an easy out for buses and commuters. The area is scheduled for construction next spring and should be finished by the beginning of 1998. by CNB