I have to agree with a letter writer’s position on roads (“Frustrated with roads,” Aug. 10).
Selfishly, I have looked at my road, Florence Road. But I do know how neglected the roads are in the outskirts of Florence — Cross Street, Burts Pit Road farther away from the new condos on Hospital Hill — as well as other parts of our city. I drive them daily.
Ironically, at the intersection of Route 66 and Florence Road there is a sidewalk to nowhere. Yet for all 56 years I have lived on Florence Road, there has never been a sidewalk on this dangerous road. I remember walking my children and praying we would not be hit. And many years later I now pray for the mothers and children, bike riders and joggers attempting to find a small, narrow space to traverse safely, one bad bump away from disaster.
On this road, we have several problems — tremendous amounts of traffic, heavy truck travel, hot rods, people traveling at speeds well above the posted limit. We do need road repairs here and elsewhere, as well as bike travel lanes, and perhaps a reduction in speed limits where appropriate. An option to slow traffic could involve installing speed bumps.
Reviewing these options should proceed before prayers run out and someone is injured badly here or on the other roads in the city needing attention.
It would be nice to see city government get more involved in the safety of all its citizens and at least look at a survey of what is needed, or explain why not.
Sharon Martula
Florence