The Virginia Department of Transportation plans to put into place during the next several years an upgraded system of traffic signals along Route 17 from north of the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge at Gloucester Point to Glenns.

VDOT held a public hearing on the project last Wednesday, April 30, in Watermen’s Hall at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, but only a handful of people turned out on a stormy night to offer comments.

A number of county staff members, including assistant county administrator for community development Garrey Curry, planning and zoning director Anne Ducey-Ortiz and director of engineering Brian Lewis, indicated their support for the signal upgrade.

Only three citizens—Jeff Breaks, Robert Jessen and Jeanne Hockaday—attended to ask questions about the extent of the project or if more sidewalks are being planned along Route 17, an issue not directly related to the signal improvement project.

VDOT traffic designer Pa...