Editor, The Smithfield Times:

The Smithfield Times’ edition of April 23 included a letter “Be careful in work zones” from the Virginia Department of Transportation Hampton Roads district engineer making drivers aware of road construction workers and asking motorists to consider their safety. 

Just recently VDOT construction at the connection of Nike Road Extension resulted in wide surface cuts across the four traffic lanes on Route 17. As the repair asphalt fill in the cuts settled due to the heavy traffic, it caused great impacts to the suspensions and possible property damage to the crossing vehicles. 

I tried to reach the VDOT district engineer on May 15 and could not find a way to communicate to him the hazardous conditions at the above location. How is it that I can find an email and send messages to the governor or my senator but not a VDOT district engineer? I eventually found an email address for the VDOT senior communications specialist. After a second email, including photos of the potholes inside the road cuts, VDOT restored the surfaces in question within two days; kudos to her. 

By this letter the VDOT district engineer is also notified that on the James River Bridge frequently one of the two lanes (northbound or southbound) is closed by electronic boards or cones and nothing is happening. As a result, drivers tend to ignore them and continue using both lanes, but if there is a real hazard, accidents may happen — a great example of the idiom “crying wolf.” 

VDOT failure to complete road projects in a timely manner increases exposure of workers and commuters to hazardous road conditions. As an example of VDOT inefficiency, the Cypress Creek bridge restoration project announced a start date of February 2024 with estimated completion by fall 2025. The Riverside Smithfield hospital, a three-story building with about 200-000 square feet, started construction in September 2023 and is on track for completion by the fall of 2025.

 

Jose E Hernandez

Carrollton