VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Safety along the Virginia Beach Oceanfront is a priority for city leaders, who are looking for input on ways to improve transportation and mobility in the Resort Area.
"We're trying to balance transportation for all users," said Kyle Williams with design, engineering and consulting firm Kimley-Horn.
On nice days, the Oceanfront provides a place for people to get outside. On Thursday, Jacob Prillaman took advantage of the nice weather, but he kept a look out for any cars.
“It’s not too bad but definitely when the summer season starts people start to get a little reckless in their cars they don’t really pay attention to pedestrians skaters, bikers," said Prillaman.
Frequents at the Oceanfront, such as lifelong Virginia Beach resident Danielle Loesch, said it can be a tight fit in season, "so you end up with traffic congestion on the sidewalks with bikes and rollerblades, skateboarders."
Both Loesch and Prillaman told 13News Now they welcome safety improvements at the Oceanfront.
“It would be a great idea just for extra safety precautions," said Prillaman.
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In 2020, the city officials created the Resort Area Strategic Action Plan 2030, which consists of the Resort Area Mobility Plan or RAMP.
Chuck Cayton lives near the Oceanfront and is a member of the RAMP steering committee. The group came up with 16 project recommendations.
“Some of them are just making improvements to crosswalks, maybe some signal timing, some of them are more extensive improvements," said Cayton.
Those improvements could impact major intersections on Atlantic Avenue and also mean expanding some bike lanes on the boardwalk.
During a webinar on Thursday night, presenters from Kimley-Horn showed renderings of the possible lane and road redesigns on portions of Atlantic Avenue.
"It really allows us a lot of opportunity in the area for our other modes which was a priority," said Williams.
Cayton hopes the public can provide more safety ideas.
“We would certainly welcome any input from business owners, residents on ways to improve the overall experience from a transportation and parking perspective in the resort area," said Cayton.
So far, the input from citizens, civic leaders and business owners break down three key takeaways: stakeholder needs versus mobility goals, the role of the Atlantic Avenue trolley and enhancement of Atlantic Avenue.
Moreover, with goals of reducing crashes and related injuries in mind, plans are to improve bikeability and markings in sections such as Mediterranean Avenue.
And some pockets of the Resort Area could see additional options for short trips, starting in May. A forthcoming request to the city council will ask for pilot program funding of "microtransit" or electric shuttles.
Additionally, the city and stakeholders are trying to develop ideas for parking improvements and benefit programs.
Teams anticipate verifying their studies and data this summer.
There is no clear timeline yet for the construction or implementation of the major project proposals.
However, a refresh of "The Ave" program between 17th and 20th Streets is expected in the spring.
A recording of Thursday's virtual meeting will be made available in the near future, on this webpage.