PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Some drivers are ready for a new ride along Route 164 in Portsmouth and VDOT is looking to get community feedback.
“I noticed that congestion has gotten absolutely insane,” said Portsmouth Resident Zhane Jones.
“If it’s a breakdown, it’s over," said Carrolton Resident Wheelman Andrews. "That whole road is like tore up.”
Andrews takes alternate routes to get away from 164 after getting frustrated with aggressive drivers.
“Because of the tension of the traffic,” he said.
This is feedback VDOT is looking for as it conducts a study on Route 164 between Towne Point Road and Route 58. Department leaders have opened an online survey to hear from drivers. The online survey is open until December 22.
Some have already identified several ways to improve the road.
“The on and off ramps are really short," said Norfolk Resident Patrick Coluccio. "So, I think that really congests traffic. When you’re coming off the on-ramp, you really gotta look and then stop... it causes a whole chain reaction.”
VDOT officials said with anticipated growth in this area and with more trucks using this stretch of road, they want to prioritize safety.
Officials said the results of this study will help to identify and propose short- and long-term improvements that can be incorporated into the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP).
“Being that they’re building more houses out here, apartments and things of that sort, there’s a lot more cars," Jones said. "They probably need to widen the roads because it’s taking me a longer time to get to my destination.”
Jones hopes additional lanes can help solve the problem.
“If they can just keep three or four lanes the entire time, then it’ll be a better flow,” she said.
The study is expected to be completed late next year.