Pedestrian signs go up along Shore Dr.

Following a string of crashes along Shore Drive in Virginia Beach, the city has taken action and installed pedestrian signs along the busy roadway. The goal is to slow drivers down and keeping walkers safe.

The one-and-half mile section of Shore Drive where the signs are up has seen more than a hundred crashes, four pedestrians hurt and a biker injured between 2006 and 2008, according to the city. Last month a pedestrian was killed.

From the Lesner Bridge to First Landing State Park, eight new pedestrian signs are up along the roadway. The testing is expected to begin this week. Shortly thereafter the signs will start to blink, warning drivers to be careful of people crossing the street.

"I'm glad to see it. I was out of town for a week and came back and they were up and I thought what a wonderful idea. I hope they keep the speed limit at 35 going through there," said driver Kathy Scarborough.

The very busy Shore Drive is used by locals and tourists to get to military installations, area beaches and a state park.

Business owner Mike Spinelli said, "To go to the restaurants out here they don't want to drive everywhere they want to be able to ride their bikes or walk. Putting the signs out definitely does help. I just wish they would provide more of these things before tragic situations happen."

That's the city's goal with this project, according to Senior Traffic Engineer Mike Shahsiah.

"We're hoping to alert the motoring public to watch for pedestrians crossing mid-block, especially mid-block, and also a campaign to slow down and watch for pedestrians crossing. It's all for traffic safety," Shahsiah said.

He says the city will evaluate the project and determine whether to expand it to other areas along Shore Drive in the future. Meantime, the city plans to install about two dozen pedestrian warning signs along Pacific Avenue at the Oceanfront in the coming weeks.