ONANCOCK, Va.- The Walkable and Livable Community Institute says Exmore, Cape Charles, Chincoteague, Onley and Onancock are not friendly to pedestrians. The organization says while planning for a new hospital and other construction, pedestrians need to be taken into account.
Michael Morgan, who owns Scoops Ice Cream Shop in Onancock, said he has been trying for a while to get the Virginia Department of Transportation to add more sidewalks.
"We've had people get hit on the road before several times. The traffic moves very fast through here it is a 35 mile an hour speed limit. Most people drive 40 to 45 miles an hour, which creates havoc for people trying to cross the street," Morgan said.
His wife Chris Morgan said as a business right on Main Street, it is a troubling thought at times.
"It can be very dangerous. We're concerned as a business and we have brought it up to VDOT and we mentioned it to the town," she said. "I guess I don't know if there are money issues allocated for that but we haven't seen anything and we're still concerned about it as a business."
In response to the study, VDOT released this statement: "...it's difficult to say what improvements or steps will be taken. However, any actions taken as a result of this study would be conducted with the cooperation of the group (Eastern Shore Healthy Communities coalition), VDOT and other state agencies as necessary, and the local towns and counties involved."
