Pedestrians, Crosswalks and Frogger

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I think many would agree that motor vehicle regulations have been put in place to address safety issues and to keep us safe. To be effective, these laws must be understood and applied fairly, not arbitrarily or capriciously. Given that broad statement, how should we drivers respond to pedestrians in crosswalks?

If you condense the VDOT Crosswalk statutes to their understandable part, what are we required to do when we come across a pedestrian and a crosswalk? VDOT laws can be found at http://www.virginiadot.org, specifically for crosswalks; 46.2-924 Drivers to stop for pedestrians.

If the speed limit on the road is 35 MPH or less, you are required to “yield the right of way to any pedestrian crossing…” Drivers entering, crossing, or turning at intersections shall change course, yield, slow down, or stop if necessary to permit pedestrians cross such intersections safely and expeditiously.

So, there you are driving down Pacific Ave down at the oceanfront and somebody steps into the crosswalk. You now slow down and some horn-happy driver behind you lets you know that apparently he is late for some important occasion. Or, even worse, that driver whips around you and then almost nails the pedestrian in the crosswalk. It is getting almost as dangerous for you to stop (getting rear-ended) as it is for the pedestrian if you don’t stop.

It seems like driver-pedestrian encounters are too commonplace and a lose-lose situation with mostly deadly consequences. People from other parts of the world where pedestrian crosswalk laws are rigidly enforced don’t know what applies. Some pedestrians become trapped in the no-man’s land, the center median as they seek temporary refuge. What gives?

How does the city and state (Dillon rules; state makes the laws, not the cities) solve this continuously dangerous situation? ENACT UNDERSTANDABLE LAWS, EDUCATE EVERYONE, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, ENFORCE. As for Frogger, it was a great video game in the mid-70’s where you, as a frog, tried to cross a busy road. This game should never be attempted in real life by us or our fellow drivers and pedestrians.

“The city of Virginia Beach has recently pulled this information to get an idea of where their citizens are cycling… Also clearly visible, is the use of Shore Drive.”

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Learn more about the Bikeways & Trails Advisory Committee at VBGov.com.

Strava Labs is where Strava engineering occasionally releases side projects independent of our product. Projects may be added, removed, or break at any time, so use them at your own risk.

Strava Labs is where Strava engineering occasionally releases side projects independent of our product.
Projects may be added, removed, or break at any time, so use them at your own risk.

Check the Strava | Labs map.

“Last year, police recorded just two crashes on Shore Drive involving a bike and a car. There were 110 citywide, but only those with injuries or property damage are counted.”

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Read part 2 of 7 at Pilotonline.com:

LIFE ALONG THE BAY
This is the second of seven weekly narratives highlighting the beauty, the vibrancy and the struggles of the city’s Chesapeake Bay and Shore Drive communities.

Photo Credit: Share Shore Drive Day July 11 2009

Photo Credit: Share Shore Drive Day July 11 2009

Miami and Virginia Beach are “are the top two areas of the country most at risk for residential…”

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Miami and Virginia Beach are “are the top two areas of the country most at risk for residential…”.

Numbers like $39 billion do not seem to connect with most people in Virginia Beach, myself included. But, I can envision what a CAT2-3 hurricane could do to our community and my house. The thought of such losses can be daunting, but consider what you can do to limit the potential loss. And, that is what we are attempting to do at SDCC. We can’t give you a complete cure all package, but we can at least work to inform you how to limit the damages. We won’t pack your “go kit” for you, but we will tell you what you will need in it.

“Life Along the Bay”, Virginian-Pilot Series of Articles to focus on Bay and Shore Drive Communities

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PHP

Check out the first of a seven article series entitled “Life along the bay” by the Virginian-Pilot

The articles will be weekly narratives highlighting the beauty, the vibrancy and the struggles of the city’s Chesapeake Bay and Shore Drive communities.

 

The first article  “Along river, nature is preserved for wildlife, people” by Kathy Adams can be found here  http://hamptonroads.com/2014/07/along-river-nature-preserved-wildlife-people

Friends of First Landing State Park receive grant from Dominion Power

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Friends of First Landing State Park received a $10,000 Grant.

View Press Release at Dominion Power website.

Read list of Grant Recipients.

Check article at Pilotonline.com:

Friends of First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach will create an exploration lab to teach visitors about the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

About Friends of First Landing State Park:

FRIENDS OF FIRST LANDING STATE PARK is a non-profit 501c3 group that advocates in the community on behalf of First Landing State Park. Members participate in a variety of ways—advocacy, fundraising, and volunteering. Our mission is to support the park and outdoor stewardship in the community.

First Landing State Park

Oyster Reef Keepers of Virginia based in Ocean Park received a grant for Oyster Reef Restoration for $20,000.

#LESNERBRIDGE update from Public Works Project Manager

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Over the next four weeks roadway work and preparations for the traffic lane shifts on Shore Drive will continue. Once this …

Read entire update from an email:

Below is the latest project update from Chris Wojtowicz, project manager for the Lesner Bridge project. We will be posting a Lesner Bridge Project page on our web site within the next few days so you can get updated information and pass questions and concerns along to us. Please feel free to use this e-mail address to do the same.

Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information.

Many thanks.

Drew Lankford
Media and Communications
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beach
dlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353

With July nearly behind us, the project team is wanted to provide an update on the Lesner Bridge construction.

First of all, as many of you are aware, the residents of 3556 on the Bay condominiums have graciously allowed us to install a time-lapse camera on top of their building to photo-document the Lesner Bridge construction. This camera snaps a photo every 30 minutes and saves the images for use in a time-lapse movie. The link to this camera can be found at: http://rshcs.workzonecam.com/rshcs

Now for some important construction related information.

Due to the daytime lane closure restrictions on Shore Drive for the summer season, any work performed on Shore Drive requiring lane closures between now and October 1st will have to be performed at night. Beginning tonight at 9:00 PM and ending this Thursday work on Shore Drive between East Stratford Street and the western bridge abutment will require temporary lane closures.

This nighttime roadway work will include:

Tuesday, July 29, 2014 22:00-05:00 – Sawcutting edge of pavement on EB Shore Drive, outside lane

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 22:00-05:00 – Grading of shoulder area on EB Shore Drive

Thursday, July 31, 2014 22:00-05:00 – Paving median between EB and WB lanes on Shore Drive

The daytime work now taking place includes:

1) Installing oil/water separator structure, SW corner of Shore Drive and Vista Circle

2) Preparing area for drilled shaft construction at bridge Pier #1, NW side of Lesner Bridge

3) Preparing shoulder areas on EB Shore Drive between East Stratford Street and Vista Circle for pavement widening and temporary pedestrian access.

Over the next four weeks roadway work and preparations for the traffic lane shifts on Shore Drive will continue. Once this temporary roadway work is completed, eastbound Shore Drive traffic will be shifted south at both bridge approaches to make room for the shifted westbound lanes. Both lanes of the WB Shore Drive traffic between Page Avenue and the eastern bridge abutment and also between East Stratford Street and the western bridge abutment, will be shifted through the existing median onto what are now the EB lanes. This temporary Stage 2 traffic pattern will provide the room necessary for building the new WB bridge.

The Stage 2 traffic pattern for WB Shore Drive traffic will be as follows:

Between the existing Lesner Bridge and Page Avenue: Once WB Shore Drive traffic travels through the signalized intersection of Page Avenue and Shore Drive, traffic will be shifted south through the existing median onto what are now the EB lanes (both EB lanes will be shifted south towards the Lesner Inn and Bubba’s onto temporary pavement). These WB lanes will then be shifted back through the median and onto the existing WB Lesner Bridge approximately 250 feet before the bridge. WB traffic will then continue across the WB bridge.

Between the existing Lesner Bridge and East Stratford Street: After crossing the bridge, the WB traffic will be shifted again through the existing median onto what are now the EB Shore Drive travel lanes between East Stratford Street and the bridge. After approximately 300 feet, the WB traffic will be brought back through the median and back onto existing WB Shore Drive to the traffic signal at the Shore Drive/East Stratford Street intersection. WB Shore Drive traffic will then continue through this intersection just as it does today.

Please note that although the traffic lanes on Shore Drive are being shifted, the current lane designations will be maintained. The LEFT TURN lanes on Shore Drive at East Stratford Street and Page Avenue will be re-marked and maintained throughout the Stage 2 traffic pattern.

This is a lot of information, so if you have any questions or concerns about the ongoing or upcoming work, please contact me at the number or email address below and I will do my best to answer whatever project question you may have.

Drive Safely!

-Chris

Christopher J. Wojtowicz, P.E.
Project Manager
City of Virginia Beach
Department of Public Works
Municipal Center-Bldg 2
2405 Court House Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9031
Phone: (757) 385-5785
Fax: (757) 385-5668
email: cwojtowi@vbgov.com

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“The Pleasure House Point Natural Area represents a unique opportunity to showcase the beauty and function of a coastal eco-system in the midst of the highly developed waterfront community in the Bayfront area of Virginia Beach. The property has been manipulated time and time again over the past 50 years. Even with all of this intrusion, the environment has survived and flourished as a prime example of the resilience of a natural eco-system.”

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View 88 page PDF online at VBGov.com.

About the Management Plan

This management plan was developed to comply with the conditions of the recorded conservation easement. The recommendations that are contained within the management plan are the result of a year long study of the property. This plan has a horizon of five years. It will be important to measure the progress made annually on the stated goals in the plan and to update the plan every five years.
The Pleasure House Point Natural Area represents a unique opportunity to showcase the beauty and function of a coastal eco-system in the midst of the highly developed waterfront community in the Bayfront area of Virginia Beach. The property has been manipulated time and time again over the past 50 years. Even with all of this intrusion, the environment has survived and flourished as a prime example of the resilience of a natural eco-system. There are many lessons to be learned from this property, as well as many actions we can take to restore and enhance the property. This document was developed with this charge in mind and outlines specific steps and priority projects to ensure that the property is properly managed and maintained for the benefit of both man and nature.

About Management Objectives

The conservation easement is held by the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries (VDGIF). This management plan is being developed to comply with the conditions of the recorded conservation easement and the management plan has been coordinated with VDGIF. The management plan will govern operations and maintenance as well as future improvements and restoration projects on the 84.658 acre parcel known as the Conservation Easement Parcel. The site must be managed consistent with conservation goals used to rank and fund the project as listed below.
• Maintain habitat values
• Maintain Coastal Maritime Forests
• Maintain water quality
• Maintain/educational and recreational values not detrimental to other aspects

About Public Engagement

There will be many different opportunities to provide environmental education in partnership with Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Lynnhaven River Now. In addition, the City will be providing outdoor programming in the park. We will continue to keep the neighbors engaged by coordinating regularly with the Bayfront Advisory Committee, the Shore Drive Community Coalition and the Ocean Park Civic League. The Bayfront Advisory Committee is appointed by City Council and provides a forum for residents and businesses in the area to discuss land use, transportation and social issues. The Shore Drive Community Coalition is a volunteer organization that coordinates among various civic groups. The Ocean Park Civic League represents the neighborhood directly adjacent to the site and the members have officially adopted the Pleasure House Point Natural Area and are responsible for conducting at least one trash clean up quarterly on the property. They are also diligent in reporting violations of the pet waste and leash laws.

I encourage you to read and digest the entire document.

It’s fascinating.

php_mgmtplan_web-1page-SDCC

View 88 page PDF online at VBGov.com.

Download the 88 page PDF 29.3 MB document.

SDCC General Meeting – Monday July 28th at 7:30pm

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda SDCC Agenda 7.28.14

MONDAY 28 JULY 2014

Shore Drive Community Coalition 

SDCC General Meeting

MONDAY 28 JULY 2014

7:30-8:30 pm

 Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Station          

(Intersection of Shore Drive and East Stratford Rd.)

 

Call to order: 

Meeting topic:   National Flood Insurance Program Rates

                               Home Owner Options

                               Costs and Requirements to Raise a Home

                   

Officers’ Reports:        President’s Report      David Williams

                                           Vice President’s report  Rick Mercadante

                                           Secretary’s Report  Todd Solomon –JUNE Minutes

                                           Treasurer’s Report  Paulette Hruska

 Old Business   

New Business  

 

Adjourn

 

Next SDCC- Monday AUGUST 25, 2014

               Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Center

 

Please check www.sdcc.info for more information on area news and events

“The city just put in the Work Zone Cam near the construction site on Shore Drive. You can see the progress of building the new Lesner and keep your eye out for any backups.”

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Learn more at WVEC.com:

The camera snaps a picture of the Lesner every 30 minutes. You can also watch a time lapse video of the progression and search certain dates or times.

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Our next FOLO meeting is scheduled for Mon., July 21st at 3:30 pm at Bayside Rec Center.

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We will discuss:

Website and new email address – Penny Moulis
Live Oaks along the median of Atlantic Ave. – Penny Moulis
Live Oaks on Lynnhaven Drive
Lynnhaven River NOW fall festival – Oct. 11th – Karen
New Member Orientation – Karen
2014 Live Oak Distribution – Stephen

Next Meeting: I will be out of town on Aug. 18th – will the 25th work?

Hope to see you there,
Karen

Friends of Live Oaks at VBGov.com.
Friends of Live Oaks in Facebook.

Changes Coming to the National Flood Insurance Program – What to Expect

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The City had a briefing recently …

Here’s the PDF of what to expect. (15 pages)

July 16, 2013 Meeting Summary – Rich Sobota, FEMA Region III Insurance Specialist

On Tuesday, July 16, 2013, Rich Sobota, insurance specialist for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region III, briefed City staff on changes to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as a result of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. Biggert-Waters extends the NFIP until 2017 and encourages financial stability of the program by increasing flood insurance premium rates to actual risk rates for some subsidized properties.

The two classes of properties that will be affected by these rate increases are 1) Pre-FIRM properties and 2) Grandfathered properties. Pre-FIRM properties are those properties in an area with a 1% annual chance of flooding (100-year floodplain) that were built before the first Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). In Virginia Beach, these are properties built before October 1, 1970. Grandfathered properties are properties that previously had flood insurance, but as the result of a FIRM change are now mapped into a higher risk flood area. In the past, they were allowed to keep paying their old, lower rate.

Personal Watercraft (PWC) at Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries Regs

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More here:

Restrictions on Operation

It shall be unlawful for any person to:

Operate a personal watercraft unless he is at least sixteen years of age, except any person fourteen or fifteen years of age shall be allowed to operate a personal watercraft if he (i) has successfully completed a boating safety education course approved by the Director and (ii) carries on his person, while operating a personal watercraft, proof of successful completion of such course. Upon the request of a law-enforcement officer, such person shall provide proof of having successfully completed an approved course;
Beginning July 1, 2009, other PWC operators will need to comply with our boating safety education requirement.
Operate a personal watercraft unless each person riding on the personal watercraft is wearing a type I, type II, type III, or type V personal flotation device approved by the United State Coast Guard;
Fail to attach the lanyard to his person, clothing, or personal flotation device, if the personal watercraft is equipped with a lanyard-type engine cut-off switch;
Operate a personal watercraft on the waters of the Commonwealth between sunset and sunrise;
Operate a personal watercraft while carrying a number of passengers in excess of the number for which the craft was designed by the manufacturer; or Operate a personal watercraft in excess of the slowest possible speed required to maintain steerage and headway within fifty feet of docks, piers, boathouses, boat ramps, people in the water, and vessels other than personal watercraft. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a personal watercraft from towing a person with a rope less than fifty feet in length.
Note: The above provisions do not apply to participants in regattas, races, marine parades, tournament or exhibitions approved by the Board of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries or the United States Coast Guard.

Reckless Operation

A person shall be guilty of reckless operation who operates any personal watercraft recklessly or at a speed or in such a manner as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person, which shall include, but not be limited to:

weaving through vessels that are underway, stopped, moored or at anchor while exceeding a reasonable speed under the circumstances and traffic conditions existing at the time;
following another vessel or person on water skis or similar device, crossing the path of another vessel, or jumping the wake of another vessel more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard to the speed of both vessels and the traffic on and the condition of the waters at the time;
crossing between the towing vessel and a person on water skis or other device; or
steering toward an object or person and turning sharply in close proximity to such object or person in order to spray or attempt to spray the object or person with the wash or jet spray of the personal watercraft.

The Bayfront Advisory Committee will meet Thursday, July 17, at the Resort and Conference Center, 2800 Shore Drive, from 12 noon to 5:30 p.m.

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More at VBGov.com.

“During the work, pedestrians will be able to use a 4-foot walkway, incorporated into construction plans by widening the pavement at the ends of the bridge and narrowing traffic lanes by 1 foot apiece, Wojtowicz said.”

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Woo hoo!

Read entire article at Pilotonline.com:

“It’s a major walkway for a lot of people,” Williams said. “It’s good that the people of the city listened to the citizens. Before, they said they couldn’t do it. It’s good that they have found a way.”

Be safe people!

Be safe people!

Dangerous boating incident in Long Creek over the weekend

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From Cape Henry Shores neighborhood watch …

The following was received by a CHS resident:

We live on Long Creek and frequently deal with boats throwing a wake,
but we’ve never had any of our CHS neighbors as the culprits and we
realize we will always deal w/ disrespectful boaters.

However,
tonight a dangerous thing happened on Long Creek and I was wondering
if it’s appropriate to spread an email b/c I suspect the parents of
the culprit or perhaps the friend of the culprit live in our
neighborhood. At approximately 10:15 tonight (after the fireworks) we
could hear a boat speeding in our direction coming from the park.

Both of our neighbors across the water on Bay Island happened to be
out and all of us went to the edge in time to see what appeared to be
a grey or blue center console boat, probably around 20′-24′ long,
speed by so fast it’s a wonder docked boats, pylons, or floating piers
weren’t hit. Thank goodness no late-night kayakers or paddle boarders
were out (as there sometimes are) b/c there’s no question they would
have been killed. All of the boats docked along the creek rocked and
hit pylons or bulkheads!

After the boat sped by, my neighbor across the water screamed that the boat had turned into CHS. Because it sped by so quickly we couldn’t determine how many people were in the boat, but we’re all reasonably certain there were at least 2 guys who seemed
to be teenagers.

If you have any information on who the boaters could have been, please
contact me and i can put you in touch with the resident.

CHX, OPK, BLP Fireworks officially rescheduled for Saturday July 12th 2014

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From Jill Doczi post in Facebook:

TO ALL NEIGHBORS & FRIENDS:

The fireworks committee (made up of representatives from all three civic leagues–CHX, OPK, BLP), along with a member of Virginia Beach Fire Marshall’s office and our shooter met last night to discuss the effects of this storm and the fireworks show. Additional phone discussions involved the Coast Guard, the Virginia Beach department of special events and public safety.

After much discussion regarding the safety of pulling this off, we collectively agreed to move the fireworks to
SATURDAY —- JULY 12 — at 9:15 p.m.

Several issues played a part in making this decision. Rain, wind and rough seas would delay loading, which was to happen today and takes roughly 10 hours. Likewise, the high wind from the north, waves and swells on Saturday morning would make it dangerous to leave the dock and travel the slow 10-hour trip to the location. Although the evening looks to be beautiful with a possibility of one-foot waves and 5mph winds out of the north, the procedure of getting to that point is unsafe. Staffing issues within the city to pull this off and safety of all personnel involved also came into play.

This has really been a joint effort to pull this off and a joint decision that was tough to make. Much discussion and debate has resulted in what everyone agrees is the best decision. Public safety, fire marshal, Coast Guard, city special events–all have been very gracious and overly helpful in establishing emergency last-minute permits, providing advice, coordinating with us and supporting us.

I know you all are as disappointed as I am but it all comes down to the main reason we have this type of barge show on in the first place—SAFETY. Arthur has created what has always been understood as the worst case scenario. No one ever thought we would have a tropical storm fall on this holiday. In true Shore Drive spirit, I’m recommending we simply have two celebrations now: Arthur parties this weekend and fireworks parties next weekend.
Thank you for your support and understanding.
Jill Doczi

You can still donate to these amazing fireworks too!

Please choose to donate!

Please choose to donate!

Cape Story by The Sea Parade & Fireworks are still scheduled for July 5th.
Learn more at their website.

Hurricane Arthur update from VBGOV.com

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More at VBGOV.com

Following the National Weather Servic 5pm update the tract of the storm has moved slightly to the west such that the eye of the storm could cross the Currituck Bay west of Hatteras. The expected turn to the NE this evening will still carry the soon to be CAT 2 Hurricane Arthur away from VB. Additional changes from our noon update is a slight increase in the wind gusts possibly reaching 50mph. Winds will increase commencing at 3 am in the morning and are expected to remain thru 6 pm tomorrow. Most of the wind will be from the north. Atlantic wave height could reach 12 feet at day break subsiding during daylight. Beach and dune protection are expected to hold. Bay wave height will increase through the morning reaching 6 feet at 2 pm and falling off rapidly after that. Some bay front waterfront bulkheads will be tested. Rain fall total projection remains under 2 inches. Street flooding is expected to be scattered based on downpours and the high tide reducing the runoff flow. Home inundation will be an anomaly. Tidal flooding impacts will be short lived with only a few habitually low spots subjected. Some roads will have high water signs posted in advance. 311 service will operate under normal operating conditions this evening – shutting down at 11:30 pm and resuming at 7 am on Friday morning. As cell service and our communications and data systems are not expected to be compromised the City leadership will be monitoring the storm system and conducting decentralized management of the event.​