Q: A couple of years ago, citing energy savings and low maintenance, the Virginia Department of Transportation began replacing incandescent signal lamps with LEDs. But the new lights at the Meadowville Road interchange are incandescent. Why? — Robert
A: Don't them mis-LED you.
Which is possibly the worst pun I have made in my entire tenure at Street Beat. And that, believe me, is saying something.
VDOT tells me that the traffic signal at the two new intersections at Meadowville Road do, in fact, have LEDs. "Since we first started installing LED signals, we have used other manufacturers and newer models, which would explain why these differ from the earlier versions," said VDOT's Dawn Eischen.
Q: At the corner of River Court and River Road, a contractor has dug up the street to put in a pipe. Then turned and went east on River Road about 20 or 30 yards. Now they have filled it back in and blacktopped it over. Now it's like a washboard. Is this work finished, or do they plan to put it back in the smooth condition that it was before? — Larry Z.
A: Can't say what it was like before. But the Henrico Department of Public Works tells me that the pavement restoration should have been completed even as we speak. Which is odd, because we didn't speak. It's all done by email these days.
If it is not better now, please let me know.
Q: Motorists on Brandermill Parkway approaching Genito Road from either direction must choose one of two travel lanes at the intersection. The left lane is for left turns to Genito or to proceed straight across the intersection. The right lane is for right turns only. Unfortunately, there are no pavement markings to indicate this — only a right-turn arrow on a sign mounted next to the traffic signal. Drivers not familiar with the area frequently proceed straight across the intersection from the right-turn-only lane, which creates a traffic hazard as they find themselves competing for pavement with drivers who have correctly crossed the intersection using the left lane. Road markings and perhaps additional signage are needed to clear up this confusing intersection. — Bert B.
A: I asked VDOT about this. They "have asked maintenance to install street markings to complement the overhead signing indicating the right lanes are for right turns only as traffic on Brandermill Parkway approaches the signal at Genito Road," said VDOT's Sundra Hominik. "Thanks for letting us know about the issue."
Q: I live on Tobacco Row, in the old Lucky Strike building on East Cary Street at 26th Street. Recently, "No Parking" signs have been posted on East Cary close to its intersection with Pear Street, across from Odell Associates. This has taken away about seven valuable and rare free parking spaces for residents of the area. Would you be able to find out if it was the city that put up those no parking signs and why they did it? Thanks — Vicki W.
A: The "No Parking" signs are on private property," said Sharon North of the Richmond Department of Public Works.
The city doesn't have any jurisdiction over the signs, unless they violate a zoning ordinance — and they don't appear to do that, she said.
"Technically, a car would be parked partially in the right of way and partially on private property," North said. "Therefore, the property owner has the right to restrict parking by posting a sign."
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