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Why Richmond, Why?!?

Is produce in Richmond really more expensive than in other cities? Is a Richmond church performing exorcisms at night? And what's up with the debit machines at Food Lion?

These are all questions that we're still working on for "Why Richmond, Why?!?" and we should have the answers in a few weeks.

In the meantime, we've got plenty of your other questions answered. Why do city trash cans look like the victims of graffiti artists? Will a vacant supermarket in the West End find a new tenant? And more traffic and road questions answered.

Please keep the questions coming, Richmond. We'll keep getting you the answers and maybe some results for your Richmond issues.

Are there any plans for the vacant store (I think it used to be a grocery store or something) in the strip mall on the corner of Ridgefield Parkway and Gayton Road? It's been empty for so long!

-- Julia

Yes, according to W. Douglas Mallory , senior associate of retail and industrial brokerage for The Wilton Companies , who manages the property.

"We have rented the ex-Winn Dixie store in Gayton Centre Shopping Centre at the corner of Ridgefield Parkway and Gayton Roads to Ollie's Bargain Outlet. You can find more information about them at olliesbargainoutlet.com. They are projected to open the store May 21. We feel that Ollie's will be a great addition to the center and provide a wonderful place for Richmonders to buy good stuff cheap."

Why can't the city use stencils when spray painting addresses on supercans? The current method looks like sloppy graffiti.

-- Bill

Marc LaFountain, public information manager for Richmond's Department of Public Works, answers:

The city's Department of Public Works appreciates this suggestion and will evaluate using stenciling for numbers on the sides of trash receptacles."

This is a question about the expansion of the bridge over Interstate 64 (Pouncey Track Road). One side of the roadway has been expanded, and work is ongoing for the other half. The portion that is done doesn't even look and feel like a new road - it has lots of bumps and patches already. Are there any plans to smoothen the road once the other part is ready or the Far West-Enders have to live with it?

-- Sandy

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

"Pouncey Tract Rd. motorists are currently traveling on what's called the intermediate layer of asphalt. Once both sides of the Pouncey Tract Road bridge are finished, the contractor will pave the entire roadway with a 1-1/2 inch surface coat of asphalt and place final roadway striping. This final paving will take place once all work is done to the bridge. We expect to complete the bridge widening in July." 

Why, when you're driving on Route 288 and exiting onto Iron Bridge Road are the exit signs reversed?  It says exit east (when you are actually heading west) and exit west (when you are heading into Richmond city, which is EAST)?

--Amy

Dawn Eischen of VDOT answers again:

"It's not always possible to follow true cardinal directions. However, VDOT has to be consistent in how we use directional signs. This consistency involves looking at the Route 10/Route 288 interchange from a larger picture rather than a small picture.  

"Many factors are responsible for a route deviating from being a straight line: direction of an original Colonial/Indian path or trail, typography, available land for right-of-way, property lines or location of towns/communities along the route. Bottom line -- the transportation need may create twists and turns not always consistent with the true cardinal direction of the roadway.

"The Route 288 interchange is an example of deviation from the true cardinal direction. Route 10 begins in Suffolk and ends in Richmond, and follows an east to west cardinal direction (big picture). However, at the Route 288 interchange, Route 10 runs north/south and Route 288 runs east/west. If we were to change the signs to indicate the direction of the road at only this interchange (small picture), would the traveler coming through Richmond from Suffolk be confused to see the cardinal direction change at this location? In all likelihood, yes. Travelers rely on consistent roadway directional signs to get them to their destination."   

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

April 7 : Is Dave and Busters coming to Richmond? What about Wegman's grocery store?

March 21 : Ikea, city sidewalks and pot holes.

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

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