VDOT officials will be at the Cape Charles Civic Center, 500 Tazewell Avenue on July 24th from 4 to 6 pm to show plans for the intersection of Route 13 and 184 (Stone Road). Given the dangerous nature of this stretch of road which includes the crossover at the Food Lion parking lot, this is a valuable opportunity for citizens to see just what is planned, and to voice concerns to VDOT. The concern for many is that the proposed plans offer mild improvements, but they do not address the real safety problems that exist at this intersection.
This might seem simplistic, but if a stoplight was installed on Route 13, somewhere between Stone Road and the CBBT, that would at least create some gaps in the traffic that seems to be coming north, non-stop, on weekends during the summer months. As it is now, pretty much every car that comes across the CBBT in the summer is heading north, as in NJ, PA, NY, etc, so all that traffic (I get the Twitter messages about heavy northbound traffic with maximum speed of 35 mph) that comes across is not peeling off of Route 13 before getting to the first stoplight at Cape Charles. It is hard for cars wanting access to Food Lion to find an opening in traffic. Most of the time, another stoplight would be superfluous, but in “high season,” any break in that northbound traffic would be helpful. Personally, I think an access road that went from Food Lion, behind Dollar General, and ended up on Bayside would be a safer option, but I’m not a traffic engineer….just someone who in the summer time tries to time my Food Lion shopping with late afternoon on Saturdays!
Please forward your e-mail address so I can forward a suggestion to resolve the traffic issue. I would like to get support for an idea and present it to VDOT. The more persons behind the idea the more likely we as a community are likely to get it done. I have been working on this Traffic Safety issue for 10 years. I have gotten it this far, but it is obvious VDOT NEEDS MORE GUIDANCE.
Based on what was done at Royal Farms at Kiptopeke, Part of the idea can be implemented within a week if VDOT WILL EXECUTE and implement the idea.
Thank You Lucius!!!
I am in favor of a traffic light at Food Lion that would be the best move. Don’t say it is to close because Exmore has them at every intersection.
Please forward your e-mail address so I can forward a suggestion to resolve the traffic issue. I would like to get support for an idea and present it to VDOT. The more persons behind the idea the more likely we as a community are likely to get it done. I have been working on this Traffic Safety issue for 10 years. I have gotten it this far, but it is obvious VDOT NEEDS MORE GUIDANCE.
Based on what was done at Royal Farms at Kiptopeke, Part of the idea can be implemented within a week if VDOT WILL EXECUTE and implement the idea.
I challenge the powers that be (VDOT) to come to this intersection in their personal vehicle with their families in the summer and attempt to cross 4 lanes of traffic leaving Food Lion and going either south or over to Union Trust Bank and see the real danger! I hold my breath every time I have to cross. Most of the time I go to the Cape Charles light and do a u-turn to go back south but even then it can take time to pull out on 13 because of the heavy traffic in both directions! I am not saying that lowering the speed would not help but lengthening the pull offs is only going to allow more cars to sit thus causing traffic exiting Food Lion to face even further delays to cross! Further I cannot believe that these improvements could possibly cost 1.7 million! Good Lord wouldn’t a traffic light being less expensive? It is ridiculous that the people of lower Northampton County have to fight tooth and nail to get a stinking traffic light before someone is killed but they have one at every intersection in Exmore and in Accomack! This intersection has multiple businesses, yet no light, however there are many intersections north of us that have one business or none! I can’t believe the powers that be are blind to the need of a traffic light at this intersection and focused on doing costly improvements that will not eliminate the problem but possibly add to it!
Why not simply turn right, drive a bit, make a u turn and your destination will be on the same side of the road you are on? It has amazed me for 40 years of driving how long people will sit waiting to turn left or go straight, when they could go right and flip and come back.
Most folks are just plain ‘Mental Midgets’, and by the way…The ‘Powers that be’ comment is sick.
They have no power.
Obviously you don’t believe this intersection is dangerous so if you wish to continue making u-turns that is your right. I’ve been driving for close to 50 years and although your u-turn suggestion is one I have used many times, I feel with the amount of traffic passing through our area now warrants a traffic light at this intersection! Not everyone has had 40+ years of driving experience! Further more, your claim that my reference of the powers that be comment as being sick, really? They have more power than you and I have. I am sure they will do whatever they want anyway! You referring to most folks as being mental midgets is sick!
If you feel that the VDOT have power, you obviously do not believe in God and have been indoctrinated extremely well. Please read the Lords Prayer and you will find out who has the ‘Power’. The Government, be it state, local or federal can not give you anything that they did not take from someone else first. The only power they have is what we gave them.
and Yes, most people are mental midgets.
Don’t you ever question my beliefs Mr. Parks! Powers that be is an expression, look it up and while you are at it, grow up and join in the discussion without putting others down!
Watch your dress…
We are desperately in need of a traffic light at that specific location , it’s very dangerous to cross the road to go into food lion shopping center , with it being summer and having vacationers traveling on route 13 has made it even more dangerous to cross that intersection .
Nobody has mentioned another most dangerous intersection at Sting-Ray’s; there is no control there and the volume of traffic entering and exiting is great. It’s an accident looking for a place to happen,