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Why Richmond, Why?!?

Thank you, Richmond, for all of your thoughtful, intriguing and diverse questions. You've made "Why Richmond, Why?!?" a success and, as a result, I'm pleased to announced that this is the last bi-weekly edition of the column.

Due to its overwhelming popularity, "Why Richmond, Why?!?" will now run weekly.

So please, keep sending in the questions about anything and everything about life, culture and business in Richmond and its surrounding counties. We'll keep getting you the answers.

And this week, we've got plenty. Is the grand-daddy of all adults-only arcades coming to Richmond? Will Richmond get a fabulous new grocery store? And are Richmond tolls fairly charged? You asked, we answered.

Love your "Why Richmond, Why" column! The one about Ikea sparked a question that I had. I heard that we are getting a Dave and Busters. Is this true?

-- Thi 

I heard a rumor Dave and Busters is coming into the Short Pump area. If it is true when is it scheduled to open?

-- Sean

Yup, Dave and Busters is coming to Richmond. Thus far, the only official announcement from the restaurant called the Chuck E. Cheese for adults is that it will open its first Virginia franchise in Richmond, either very late in 2008 or in early 2009.

There's no official confirmation on a Short Pump location, but since this restaurant/bar comes equipped with the best arcade features a grown up could hope for -- like classic and new video games, skeeball, competitive trivia, "Dance, Dance Revolution" and NASCAR simulators -- my hope it comes to the city proper. Look for more information to come.

What is the completion date for the new 288 ramp that is currently under construction on I-64?

-- Melinda

Dawn Eischen , public relations manager, Richmond District, Virginia Department of Transportation , answers:

I'm thinking the person meant to ask about the new Interstate 295 ramp from I-64 east, not Route 288. That I-295 flyover ramp will be completed this fall. An exact month will be determined the closer we get to completion. The weather plays a big part in the contractor's ability to complete the ramp on time.

Any hope of Richmond getting a Wegman's grocery store? They put all of the food stores in Richmond to shame.

-- Shannon

"We appreciate the very nice compliment, but we do not currently have plans for a store in the Richmond area," said Jo Natale , director of media relations for Wegmans Food Markets Inc.

The Starbucks downtown on Cary Street (near 12th) has had a sign that says it is under construction for more than six months. What's the deal?

-- Meg

While I was waiting on an answer from Starbucks, Meg got back to me herself saying, "I walked by Starbucks and the sign on the door says it'll open April 14."

And I have confirmation via an Omni Hotel press release that Monday, April 14 at 6:30 a.m. is the grand opening for Shockoe Slip's (and downtown's) first Starbucks. The address is 100 S. 12th St., Omni Richmond Hotel - Street Front.

Why does the metro Richmond area have so few "illuminated" major highway interchanges? The major interchanges of I-295 and I-64 both east and west of downtown, I-295 and I-95 north of the city, and many other heavily used roadways in the area are completely dark. 

I know this is not the responsibility of the city's budget, but rather probably a regional state and federal transportation obligation. But, the same type of interchanges and highways in Roanoke, Petersburg, Emporia, Tidewater, and Northern Virginia are all extremely well lit. It just doesn't make sense that the state's capital region has the least convenience and safety afforded its traveling citizens as other parts of the state, both large and small.    

 -- Frank

Dawn Eischen of VDOT answers again:

Frank is correct in his assessment of both the I-295/I-64 interchanges and the I-295/I-95 interchange north of Richmond -- they are not illuminated. Interchange lighting is determined when a highway is in the planning phase. I-295 was completed in phases during the '80s and '90s and, to our knowledge, it was determined that lighting for these interchanges would not be necessary since those areas were considered more "rural" at the time and we typically only illuminate urban interchanges. For example, when the I-95 James River Bridge was widened, lighting was added to the improvement project.   

There are no plans to add lighting to these interchanges. In fact, doing so would significantly increase highway maintenance costs. However, many of the interstate signs are illuminated or are made to illuminate when headlights reflect off them. 

I know some Chesterfield residents are upset (I think justifiably) about the toll increases on Powhite and the Downtown Expressway, but I have a question about Boulevard (or Nickel) Bridge toll increase from 25 cents to 35 cents (writer's note: the amount of the Boulevard Bridge toll increase has not officially been decided).

It's my understanding that when the Nickel Bridge was built in 1925 it was done so as an incentive to get people to move to Westover Hills. As a result, South Richmonders weren't required to pay the toll. They got to use the bridge for free to access their city and its attractions.

Both then and now, many Westover Hills and South Richmonders bought their homes due, in part, to the neighborhood's proximity to the northern part of the city. The Fan, Carytown and the Museum District are destinations for shopping, dining, art, museums and events that all Richmond residents want to enjoy.

Since the Nickel Bridge was built for the express purpose of providing Westover Hills residents with a FREE connection to part of the city, why did we start getting charged for it?

Also, Powhite and the Expressway were built so that suburbanites could have the option of paying a toll to shorten the time of their commute, not the length of it in miles. They can choose not to pay the toll and sit in traffic. Westover Hills residents, on the other, would have to go miles out of their way to avoid the toll. For example, I live less than two miles from Maymont Park. If I wanted to avoid the toll, I could take the Lee Bridge, but that would make the trip six miles, or three times longer! If I took the Huguenot Bridge would make the trip five times longer, or more than 10 miles. That doesn't really make not taking the bridge on option.

Can this toll be revoked (or decreased) for South Richmonders as it was initially intended?

- Amber, Westover Hills

Linda McElroy , public relations manager for Richmond Metropolitan Authority , answers:

When the RMA bought the Boulevard Bridge in November 1969, its traffic and revenue consultants recommended that the Boulevard Bridge toll schedule should include all drivers, regardless of their location. This policy remains in place. The RMA has no plans to adopt a change.

Read more "Why Richmond, Why?!?" columns

w March 21 : Ikea, city sidewalks and pot holes.

w March 10 : Charter schools, voting booths and traffic conditions.

w Feb. 25 : Recycling in Richmond and the Powhite toll plaza.