Beach moves forward to widen busy intersection

Virginia Beach:

“One of Virginia Beach's most congested intersections, which snarls commuters heading to and from Oceana Naval Air Station, is finally on its way to getting some relief. The city has fully funded a $25 million project that will widen First Colonial Road at Virginia Beach Boulevard from four to six lanes to the Interstate 264 overpass.

‘There's a need for it,’ said Sam Reid, president of Oceana Gardens Coalition Civic League and a School Board member. ‘Especially in the morning and the afternoon. That whole corner comes to a standstill - cars backed up everywhere from base traffic. It doesn't matter what direction you're coming from. It clogs up the whole intersection in all directions.’

The city's acquisitions will affect about 30 properties in the project's path. Appraisals will be sent out this spring, followed by acquisitions and relocations. The city already has bought more than 30 parcels on the fringes of the intersection as part of the planned widening. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2016.”

~Writes Stacy Parker of the Virginia Pilot

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