Editor, Gazette-Journal:

I am a longtime resident of Fiddlers Green Road in Gloucester. In the last 18 months, this road has been inundated with construction, disruption and chaos, for those that have lived here in excess of 20 years and remember the past fondly.

The worst of these disruptions has been at the intersection of George Washington Memorial Highway (Route 17), Fiddlers Green Road and its counterpart, Main Street. The installation of a pedestrian crosswalk at this intersection was at first amusing, then upsetting. Now, it is more than dangerous.

Recently, there is a sign saying no right turns except on green … to allow the pedestrians safe crossing. What happened to our right-hand turning lane that was promised?

If we have had more than 50 pedestrian crossings total at that crosswalk, it would amaze me. The crosswalk itself is, at best, dangerous on a highway intersection where so many fatal accidents occur between automobiles, never mind humans.

The timing on the traffic lights in this intersection is an accident waiting to happen. The time to cross Highway 17 from Fiddlers Green Road to Main Street allows just barely two cars. I do mean just barely. The time to cross 17 eastbound onto Fiddlers Green Road in the left-hand turning lane allows, at the most, four cars; although the fourth would be going through an amber light. This may be the case with the left turn onto Main. I seldom make that turn, but I know full well about the others.

I know that VDOT sent someone out to time the intersection; however, they have left this intersection in a very dangerous position. Whoever is responsible for this mess—from Gloucester County to VDOT—needs to act immediately, before someone else dies.

Catherine O’Connor
Gloucester, Va.