Checkered Flag fans, beware. If you have plans to spend any of the upcoming weekend at the Virginia Beach oceanfront, you may need to adjust your traveling plans.
Police: Weekend access to Oceanfront to be limited
By Margaret Matray
The Virginian-Pilot
Major entry points to the Oceanfront will be closed or limited to inbound traffic Friday and Saturday nights in order to reduce the number of cars in the resort area, Beach police announced Tuesday.
Police have identified this coming weekend as a possible prefinals beach gathering for college students.
Depending on traffic volume Friday and Saturday nights, it?s likely that all eastbound traffic on Interstate 264 will be redirected westbound, police said via a post on the department?s Facebook page. Vehicles will not be able to exit I-264 until they reach Lynnhaven Parkway.
Those visiting the Oceanfront will be able to enter the area via northbound General Booth Boulevard, eastbound Virginia Beach Boulevard, eastbound Laskin Road and southbound Shore Drive.
Street closures and traffic diversion will affect most of Atlantic Avenue.
Police are encouraging the public to make arrangements ahead of time. Those visiting the resort area should arrive early and expect delays when they leave.
Last year?s college beach event was held the last weekend in April. As many as 40,000 people packed the Oceanfront, and police made more than 100 arrests. Most charges were misdemeanors and traffic summonses related to seat belt and liquor law violations, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.
This year, Virginia Beach Police Chief Jim Cervera said his department has prepared for the weekend as if it's the Fourth of July. The department will increase staffing, with an emphasis on foot patrols.
For additional Hampton Roads traffic updates, stay tuned to the home of your Virginia Beach auto service centers, Checkered Flag.com.
Source: [pilotonline.com]
