Norfolk, Va. – Beginning on April 8, 2015, Norfolk city crews will close one northbound lane of Hampton Blvd. approaching the intersection and reopen the left turn lane, officials tell NewsChannel 3. This will reduce the crossing distance to Jamestown Crescent, they say.
A traffic signal was previously damaged there as a result of a crash.
On February 22, 2015 an over-height tractor-trailer traveling south on Hampton Boulevard struck the traffic signal wires at the Jamestown Crescent intersection. The traffic signals, wires, and signal poles were pulled down into the street.
The tractor-trailer did not have a permit to travel over height. If the required oversize hauling permit had been requested through the Department of Public Works Right of Way permits office, the route would have been reviewed for height and width clearances. The permit would have been denied. The hauler was ticketed, and will be responsible for compensating the City for its losses, officials say.
As a result of the accident, the original location of the traffic signal no longer meets current design standards and best practices.
Without a signal, a left turn at Jamestown Crescent is extremely unsafe. The distance is nearly twice as long, across three lanes of traffic versus a normal 90 degree left turn. The left turn lane was closed while city transportation engineers worked to find a solution to turn safely without a traffic signal, NewsChannel 3 has learned.
Beginning April 8, city crews will close one northbound Hampton Blvd. lane approaching the intersection and reopen the left turn lane. This will reduce the crossing distance to Jamestown Crescent.
In the long-term, signalizing the intersection will require a new design to meet current standards. The design and construction process is 8 to 12 months away and will include public notification of changes in the operation of streets within this intersection.
