By David Williams, Cape Henry Shores Civic Association

Project Officer for SDSI ‘09

Monday, July 14 marked a subtle but what I think a significant date in the Virginia Beach civic calendar as 15 members of the Shore Drive Safety Initiative 2009 (SDSI’09) held their second meeting in two weeks to further develop a Plan of Action (POA) for their efforts to improve the safety along Shore Drive.  I say this day is historic in that there was a subtle but perceptible shift in the atmosphere from the previous meeting on 6 July where two groups met, but both were not quite sure of the other group’s motives. After more than three decades, much and varied efforts have been put into improving the safety along Shore Drive, but with limited success. Now, actual progress was being made at identifying and correcting our neighborhood’s dangerous areas.

While some groups see Shore Drive as a gateway to the oceanfront, other groups see this four lane road and highway as a keeper of the residential neighborhood’s image. Some residents want faster commutes, while other residents want to be able to walk across Shore Drive without significantly endangering self, family and tethered canine.  As a resident here, I feel that we should not be overly endangered while doing normal outdoor activities, such as walking the family to the beach.  Change is difficult to achieve or accept depending on your perspective, but most agree, safety improvements are particularly needed along this section of Shore Drive.

Monday’s meeting brought representatives from the City and the combined interested citizen groups (Cape Henry Shores, Cape Story By the Sea, Shore Drive Community Coalition, Tidewater Bicycle Association, and Bayfront Advisory Committee together again to consider safety improvements.  The Director of Public Works, Mr. Jason Cosby and Mr. Mike Shahsiah , Senior Traffic Engineer discussed possible solutions that could be implemented quickly and possible solutions that would take more study, time and funding approval.  But, the key point made here by Mr. Shahsiah, was that safety improvements were doable. After listening to the residents along Shore Drive and understanding our concerns, at least now the city was responding with the prospects of “doable”, and not with the flat rejections as previous requests had met.  We still do not have our speed limit reduction to 35 MPH from N. Great Neck Road to the entrance at First Landing State Park, but I think both the city and the residents have shared a better understanding of both the residents’ safety concerns and the city’s ability to implement those safety improvements.

This safety effort started with some local residents, gained area support and traveled up through the offices of Vice Mayor Jones, Councilman Wood, and Councilman DeSteph who have collectively brought it into the light of city government and into the view of Mayor Sessoms.  It is just such a great feeling to know that local government still works and responds with some efforts and some organization.  We, the people, will get there safely.