New challenges ahead for VB church

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - After reaching an agreement with the city, members of a church are waiting to see what kind of issues could be brought by a newly constructed section of Princess Anne Road.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church has a daycare center at the rear of the building which is adjacent to the new part of the road. Earlier this year, the church and the city reached a compromise over eminent domain issues.

Now, there is concern about what the new traffic pattern will mean for the church.

Click here to see VDOT's map of the project.

"The noise level will be increased," Rev. John Baldwin told WAVY.com. "We won't really know that challenge until the traffic is flowing. It could mean we'll have to do some noise abatement to the day school."

The new road is set to open the weekend of Nov. 10, but Baldwin says there is another challenge for the front entrance to the church come February.

"They're going to be taking up the current two lanes closest to the church, the old Princess Anne Road and putting in a large water pipe under that section of road to get to the church," Baldwin said. "You'll have to cross over that pipe."

Baldwin said the city plans to keep disruptions to a minimum during road work by taking Sundays off.

"It's going to provide a number of challenges for a number of the congregation adjusting to new traffic patterns but it's a resilient congregation," Baldwin said. "They'll sort it out as time goes along."