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Why Richmond, Why?!?

Where can a Richmonder buy a whole pig, get more traffic signal issues in Chesterfield County and why are weird sheets dangling over the interstate? Every week, "Why Richmond, Why?!?" brings you the answers.  

Maybe you can help me. My family wants to have a pig cooking in August. Is there a place in Richmond where I can rent a pig cooker and where can I purchase a whole pig?

-- Lonnie

Much to my surprise, there are actually quite a few places in town where you can purchase a whole pig. Your neighborhood Ukrop's can usually get one to you with two days notice and Belmont Butchery can get you one pretty quickly, too. Prices vary based on the size of pig, but a ballpark figure is between $100 and $200. As for the cooker, check out Cook n' Chill, (804) 798-2040. They'll rent you one for $125 a day.

Maybe you can find out why the fourth lane that was constructed about a year ago on Hull Street Road between Brandermill and the water treatment plant is still not open. Also, a couple of years ago, VDOT changed all the traffic signals in that area to the new LED lights, which are much easier to see when the sun is setting. When the road was widened last year, new traffic signals were put up. The new traffic signals do not have the LED lights.

-- Mike

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

"Several people have inquired about this project. The stretch of Hull Street Road you … mentioned is associated with a widening project administered by a developer, not VDOT. In fact, the developer is funding this widening, not the state or federal government. The developer's work required utility relocations, which had to wait until the sound wall work associated with the VDOT project was completed in February. The developer indicated their work would be completed by late July. Before the additional lane can be opened to traffic, VDOT needs to do a final inspection to ensure the improvements meet our specifications.

"The new signals are LED's. We're using a different manufacturer for these signals, which may explain the difference in LED types. The new signal heads are currently covered up until they are ready for use."

What are those large beige sheets shielding that hang from the Glenside Drive overpass on Interstate 64?

-- A. Marie

Dawn Eischen of VDOT answers again:

The "large beige sheets" you … mention are containment tarps to shield motorists from the steel abrasive blasting and painting operations on the bridge. The project is expected to finish in November.