http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/36202.page Public Action http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1037231 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1037231 GMT
This past weekend my truck was a Lover's Lane casualty and a particularly hard jolt snapped the mounting bracket for the occupant cab on my truck. Several hours of cutting and welding later it's back in action, but not after a few choice words cast towards the underside of my truck on their way to Northfield.

Respectfully submitted in hope that some day we can all love this stream side road as one that is passable.



]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1028826 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1028826 GMT looking for stories sooner!

http://mac...13_13.html

Diane, Hardwick
Posted by VPR News Online Producer, Tim Johnson]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1023417 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1023417 GMT
William, Calais
Posted by VPR News Online Producer, Tim Johnson]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1011617 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1011617 GMT A truck permited to the maximum legal wieght is 99000 lbs. the tire patch is 10" by 11" totaling 110 square inches per tire times 22 tires comes to 2420 square inches devide the total wieght of the truck by the total inches and you have 40.9 lbs. The difference is less than 15% more per square inch more for the truck. If you want to figure who does the damage to our road system it's easy there are about 7 times more cars regesterd in the state of vermont than trucks. Add up the revenus from the car registration and then add up what trucking add to the buget and you will see that we would have to park a lot of cars to make up for there part of the damage to our roads. There is a reason we call them frost heaves because thats what they are not truck heaves.Thanks]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1010528 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1010528 GMT Craig Kneeland]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1009875 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1009875 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1009868 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1009868 GMT
Joan, Fayston
Posted by VPR News Online Producer, Tim Johnson]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1009657 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1009657 GMT My vote for the worst situation in the greater Burlington area is the Winooski bridge. The outside lane on northbound side is so chewed up that you can't drive it. You could film a Jeep commercial crossing that bridge. Yeehaw! Hang on to yer hats!]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1009628 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1009628 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1008814 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1008814 GMT Brattleboro's director of public works that the durability of their roads are adversely affected by 110,000 pound trucks. I would suggest that before any money is spent to repair their roads that they stop allowing such heavy trucks
on them.

Alternatively, since the the taxes payed by trucks are collected by the state then the state needs disburse those funds to repair roads in proportion to the number of heavy trucks using them.

David, Stowe
Posted by Tim Johnson VPR News Online Producer]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1008636 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1008636 GMT (see: http://act...58806.page )

I'm surprised that, up to this point, nobody has pointed to the use of studded tires as a major cause of road destruction. I personally don't think the studded tires are a necessity on established urban streets, highways and county roads. Though, I understand their use on other dirt and backcountry areas. I personally don't use them at all, nor do I have a 4-wheel drive car and have survived my first 2 winters spent here in VT without incident (fingers crossed!).

I cringe every time I hear a car with studded tires driving down a perfectly clean, dry street in the Spring, Summer and Fall - which happens all the time. If the Vermont State government is going to (we all hope) spend major dollars on our roads, restrictions on studded tires must be established! Cut-off dates for usage should be mandated and serious consequences put into action.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1008023 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1008023 GMT I heard someone say this once in reference to the building of sustainable communities. It's not a black and white issue and I don't buy into entirely, but it is certainly worthy of debate. There is a simple truth here: The easier and smoother we make commuting and traveling, the more likely we are to live far away from where we work and shop etc.. By expecting perfectly smooth roads that we can travel 70 mph on without spilling our coffee, aren't we just endorsing sprawl? It wouldn't be so much of an issue if it were cheap, but the transportation budget is huge. Let's have a discussion about the "outside the box" idea of letting our roads deteriorate a little, and using the money for more worthy causes, perhaps more public transportation or rail enhancements. In the meantime, perhaps we will encourage more people to live a little closer to work and school. Pot holes? Slow down...it saves gas too!]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1007618 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1007618 GMT
There are so many potholes, cracks, breaks, and asphalt death cookies all over the road that it is impossible to avoid. I'm just waiting for the one that causes terminal damage to one of my vehicles. If the roads are going to be this bad i say tear them up and leave 'em dirt. At least they will have that rustic Vermont feel.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1005719 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1005719 GMT
The Pothole

Black, black, black is the pothole's heart!
His soul is evil from the start,
And as the snow and ice retreat,
He's lying there beneath our feet.

Ready to cause our car's demise
When rounding a corner in surprise,
We find, not pavement, alas alack,
But a hole in the road, a potential flat.

Frost heaves and wrinkles both grey and black,
Like an elephant's ankles, or an old coal sack.
But the crumbling edges of holes in the road
Have no parallel image to soften the load.

They exist, I am sure, to make us believe
That winter is really reluctant to leave.
And the joy that is felt by mechanics around
Is the only redemption I possibly found.

Isobel P. Swartz
March 27, 2008
]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1005705 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1005705 GMT This was at 7:20 p.m. I changed my tire and went on my way. When I drove back through the area at 8:40 the area of the road was still not marked. I stopped and looked at the hole. It was on a bridge abutment, about three feet in diameter, a foot deep and had a piece of steel sticking out about 8 inches. I called the Montpelier Police department and explained that I had hit this pot hole at 7:20 and was upset to see that the hole was still not marked. The dispatcher told me that I was the 14th person to call and report damage that evening from that pot hole, and that the department of public works had been told about it. When I drove back through at 9:40 the hole was marked with a traffic cone and a blinking saw horse. When I drove through again the following morning, there was a road crew there with acetylene torches and paving equipment. The agency I work for was told by the city of Montpelier that even though the city knew about the damage and did nothing about it for hours, they were not responsible for any damages. When I go to work tomorrow I will get the specific date as well as the cost of the repairs to the vehicle. I do remember that it needed front suspension work, a new wheel and an alignment.

David, Richmond
Posted by VPR News Online Producer, Tim Johnson]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1005613 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1005613 GMT
This road is NOT maintained to the minimum standards as defined by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns Vermont Highway Handbook,
Specifically the following sections:

19 V.S.A. § 310(a). 19 V.S.A. § 302(3)(B). 19 V.S.A. § 302(b).
19 V.S.A. § 310(d). 19 V.S.A. § 302(a)(3)(B). 19 V.S.A. §§ 302(a)(3)(B) and 310(d).

The Vermont League of Cities and Towns Vermont Highway Handbook, a guide to Vermont’s Highway Laws can be accessed at this URL http://res...y_hdbk.pdf This handbook contains all the applicable statutes as they pertain to state and municipal roads.

The Vermont League of Cities and Towns has worked with the legislature to create the laws governing the guidelines, rights and responsibilities of municipal and state highways, and they also granted the State and every municipality within the State immunity from any liability that results from negligence or failing to comply with the law. In addition to my family and property being in grave danger, this has cost me thousands and thousands of dollars in vehicle repairs. This is something I have been unsuccessfully urging the legislature to change for the last few years.


Kenyon Road has never come close to achieving the minimum state standards as specified by the state laws cited above since we moved to Richmond in 2001. Numerous meetings with the Richmond town highway department and the Richmond Select board proved ineffective. I pointed out that they were not maintaining the road to the minimum standards as specified by state law, and this was endangering the safety of my family and my property, in addition to costing me thousands of dollars in car repairs. I reminded them that the school bus no longer goes on this road due to it’s condition, requiring us to transport our children to and from school every day. I pointed out that I was paying the town of Richmond $6,000.00 a year in property taxes, yet not receiving the town services as required by state law. I showed them pictures of damages caused by the road conditions. I was told by the select board, namely the former char of the select board, Fran Thomas, that I chose to live on the road, therefore this situation is my problem.

Several years ago I was driving my new Subaru Outback home from work, and it became stuck in the middle of the road, only a few hundred feet from US Rt. 2. The deep mud in the road caused over $1,000 in damage to the car. I submitted a claim to the town for repairs. After a three month run around, The Vermont League of Cities and Towns (the town’s insurance carrier) rejected my claim, stating that mud is a natural occurrence and outside of the town’s control. I tried to sue the Town of Richmond in small claims court. The VLCT had my case dismissed, citing “sovereign immunity.” The maintenance of the road only got worse after this, and complaints to the town were dismissed with the town telling me I now knew the town was immune from any liability, therefore, they were going to take no action to rectify the situation.
The Town of Richmond’s annual solution to mud season is to close the road. Last spring the Richmond Police Department issued us $200.00 tickets via registered mail for driving on a closed road while trying to go to and from our house. Pointing out that as soon as we left our driveway we were driving on a closed road got us nowhere. We were told simply “when the road is closed, you cannot drive on it, period.”

Finally, a long conversation with the town administrator resolved the issue with the traffic tickets.

I am attaching some pictures of the road.
Thank you for doing this story.

Our all wheel drive Chrysler minivan being towed out with our military surplus four wheel drive pick up truck.

Our all wheel drive minivan stuck on Kenyon road at the bottom of our driveway.

This is the road at the bottom of our driveway, the Van is stuck, needed to be towed out and repaired. Vehicle was not drivable after it was towed out.

David, Richmond
Posted by VPR News Online producer, Tim Johnson
]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1005449 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1005449 GMT
In all seriousness, I am dismayed by the lack of urgency the state government seems to be taking on this issue. Doesn't Gov. Douglas drive over Middlebury Gap (Rte 125) everyday? This has got to be one of the worst roads anywhere. Yesterday I traveled the stretch of Route 100 between Stockbridge and Rochester and felt like I was skiing rock hard moguls at Mad River Glen. My car? Well, I just had all of the struts replaced and on the way to work this morning it was making a funny, and sadly familiar, noise. Back to the mechanics I go! Having traveled all over the country, the roads in this state are absolutely pathetic and I can't agree more with one of the posters on this thread whose friend said driving in Vermont is similar to driving in a third world country. What an embarrassment!

Roads aside, there is a bigger transportation issue out there which needs immediate attention. The bridges in this state, particularly the steel truss bridges that were built in the 1920s and designed for early 20th century travel, are a catastrophe waiting to happen. There are two close to where I live and I fear that any day now, these bridges will fail. The Kingsbury Bridge which is an essential feature spanning the Mad River and connects Waitsfield to Warren is a deathtrap and it is a miracle that an accident doesn't happen everyday on its landmined-esque deck. One of its concrete supports crumbled away sometime ago and in its place the state placed blocks of wood to hold it up. Nice.

Roads won't matter when the bridges break. With our state's many small rivers and streams branching out through the hills, the state must fix these before it's too late and we have cars plunging into the water. I could go on and on but I will end by pointing out that while vehicle travel is tough in Vermont, try being a cyclist here. Who wants to ride their bike to work, to the grocery store, for fun when the roads might crumble beneath your tires, or when there aren't any white lines painted on the sides of the roads letting motorists know who close they are to the edge of the road. Cyclists are supposed to have three feet of room between themselves and passing cars. Look it up. It's state law. How is that possible when the roads narrow year after year?

Something's got to be done and soon before it's too late.


]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1002414 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1002414 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1002251 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1002251 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#995013 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#995013 GMT
Is it being constantly -- and very closely -- inspected?

If it needed serious structural work, closing it completely would be dramatic, and of course putting off any needed maintenance and structural work could have truly terrible consequences.

Who pays for whatever work is needed?

I can't help thinking about these questions as I drive over it at least twice a day.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#993812 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#993812 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#993021 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#993021 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#992412 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#992412 GMT
Add any amount of snow or ice to these sections and they are sooo dangerous to travel. You slip and slide every which way!!

I saw a pothole today that took off someone's hubcap. I am told that the road is deteriorating because of the number of large garbage trucks that travel the road.

I have seen some bad roads, and these, by far are the worst!!]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#990270 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#990270 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#990229 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#990229 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#990017 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#990017 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#990013 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#990013 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#989614 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#989614 GMT
My biggest concern, however, as I drive between Danby and Dorset is my fuel consumption. The shortest route on Danby Mountain Road is always a gamble at this time of year. Although partially paved at the top, the rest of the road has an ever-changing array of gaping pot holes, washed-out shoulders and washboard ridges. I can navigate these, but unless I'm sure the road is frozen solid, I don't take it because the biggest problem are the deep ruts that can form in the mud.

The paved alternatives are at least twice the distance - I am environmentally concious and this really irks me, especially with today's fuel prices. The road crews have recently put down gravel on the muddy areas, which does help. But I can't help wondering why, as the shortest route west and with all the traffic this road gets, they don't pave it? ]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#989434 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#989434 GMT
It also doesn't help that the roads are posted for large trucks, etc. and they drive on the roads with chains anyway. The point for the posting is what?!?

Good luck to all who live on roads in disrepair!]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#989427 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#989427 GMT
Thank you,

Judd ]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#989251 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#989251 GMT I recieved (two) flates, in the same day.( one to that so called spare) On RT4 from bridgewater to Woodstock. The road is hazardous. It looks like it was hit by a metor shower. It cost me $135 for towing, new tire,etc $353.00 total.
To someone struggling to make ends meet., This buys a lot of groceries

If I, a private citizen allowed my public area to be in such disrepair, there would be someone holding me responsible. Let's make it our responsibilty to insure safe roads. So we can eliminate one pernnial topic.

Ron, Brandon
Posted by VPR Online Producer, Tim Johnson]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#989236 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#989236 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#988819 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#988819 GMT If you want to know the real deal on the road conditions, ask someone who has to feed his family by driving on them. In 30 years of driving, 28 of which are in a truck, I can say what a mess, if I complained about my home town roads, and not include 40 other towns, it would be an injustice. What pepole don't know is that the commercial motor industry adds ten's of millions of dollars to the state bugget every year. We spend about $2,000 to register and $300 to $400 in permits and about $10,000 a year in fuel taxes not including more for speacial permits. The downfall for this industry is while they collect all this money from logging trucks and dump trucks, for that matter all trucks under special weight permits, which the state will sell to you with a smile, are ban from the only road system that was built for such wieghts. Inerterstates 91 and 89, where no wieght permits are allowed, farmers have great lobbiest in Washington DC, milk haulers can haul with their overweight permits on our interstate system. Tell me, does a pound of milk weigh the same as a pound of wood ? They ban us because the state knows that we will be tempted to get on the interstates with large loads. Remember that these loads are perfectly leagal to go up and down the wide expances of Rt.5 and Rt.2 and all the other state highways, HaHaHa. Through all the small towns meeting trafic, watching for cars backing out of driveways, pedestrins crossing the road, and while driving these legal weight trucks you remember the ones that the state sold the heavy wieght permits I wonder if the next corner holds a school bus in it! If we could get out of your towns we would happily do so. Think of it. Do you want trucks to stay on the small road systems? For the trucker its a waste of time, and it takes about 20% more fuel to take Rt.5 top to bottom then it would be to take I91. At today's fuel prices, thats a lot of money. For the state the reason is simple, the trucks that take a chance and get on the interstate system are often caught, fined thousands of dollars, and sent back to the small state roads to be legal again. Someone tell me if you think the road system is being distroyed by trucks? If so, hold up your registration and read "40" maybe "60 dollars a year" and smile, you did your part right? You think $40-$60 dollars should pay for the ware and tear you do. As for the trucking industry we will keep paying the rest of your share for you.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#988021 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#988021 GMT
Route 128, well, that's another story. Countless potholes, long cracks, frost heaves that will easily bottom out the suspension in my car, you name it. There's even a nice hundred foot stretch where the center of the lane is raised up enough to drag the muffler.

Basically, I spend that whole stretch of my commute trying to keep the car in one piece. I've driven this road for 20 years now, and I've never seen it this bad. It's really ugly.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#986824 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#986824 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1041635 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#1041635 GMT ]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#995262 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#995262 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#986422 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#986422 GMT
Cindy, Norton
Posted by VPR Online News Producer, Tim Johnson]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#986215 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#986215 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#985615 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#985615 GMT
To my simplistic way of thinking most frost heaves and subsequent potholes result from drainage problems (pockets of clay and such that freeze and expand). Most of the repairs seem to be superficial band-aids, doomed to last only until the next winter.

I would advocate a more focused and disciplined approach to highway repair. Rather than performing numerous superficial "fixes", focus on truly fixing a small number of trouble spots every year. This would likely entail tearing up the asphalt, digging out the subgrade, placing gravel (and or drains), and finally replacing the asphalt.

Tossing a few shovel fulls of asphalt into a pothole is money poorly spent in my opinion.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#985614 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#985614 GMT
]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#984427 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#984427 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#983087 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#983087 GMT I want to say that the roads in Peacham are terrible and dangerous. This is very apparent when one drives on adjoining town roads and which are much improved. But what I really would like to talk about is this:Peacham applied for and received a Federal Grant for Better Back Roads for the last two years. This grant was for the purpose of cleaning ditches of possible toxins that could erode into our lakes and streams.Peacham's solution to ridding themselves of their road tailings from all over the town was to "give" it away as fill to residents who were told "it's only dirt".
Now we have multiple situations through out or town where this "dirt" has been deposited. Some of it is in extremely environmentally sensitive areas.One example is the photo that is being shown. After reading all the recommendations and data supplied by EPA which is available for anyone to read,one learns that there are many many toxins listed as COMMONLY found in rural dirt roads... Because Vermont State does not test for many of these toxins, we are not able tell what exactly might be in this dirt dug from the sides of the roads.These could include many years past of products used for dust maintenance,along with other seriously dangerous toxins. I would like to know if this what other towns in Vermont are doing to get rid of their ditch dirt also? And also, does the State of Vermont consider this acceptable practice?
Stan, Peacham
Posted by VPR News Online Producer, Tim Johnson]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#983082 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#983082 GMT
“You know the skiing in Vermont is great but now we are offering another exciting sport.....Pot Hole Slalom. Anyone can join in. All you need is to strap on your car or SUV (or truck if you come from here) and hit the road. To
meet your level of skill we can offer bunny roads all the way to black diamond roads. If you’re new to this sport start with a beginner road like 103. Then you could graduate to a intermediate road like 133 between West Rutland
and Pawlet. Then you could go for the Black Diamond of Pot Hole Slalom, 140 between Middletown Springs and Poultney.

If you think down hill skiing is exciting you will love Pot Hole Slalom. Weaving back and forth between pot holes is demanding but wait, there’s an added challenge, oncoming traffic. Yes, here they come, also weaving back and
forth to miss the pot holes, something you just can’t get on the ski slopes. Come to Vermont. Join in the fun even before you get to the snowy slopes. Yes,
it’s Vermont for the real thrills in the hills.

Doyle, Middletown Springs
Posted by VPR News Online Producer, Tim Johnson]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#983063 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#983063 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#982229 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#982229 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#979827 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#979827 GMT
Mary, Montgomery
Posted by VPR News Online Producer, Tim Johnson]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#977509 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#977509 GMT
Esthetics dictate that Vermont's public buildings be well maintained. What about Vermont's public bridges?

Recently an inquiry was made about the Route 244 bridge crossing Middlebrook as it reaches Lake Fairlee in West Fairlee. To an untrained eye, the concrete of the bridge is progressively deteriorating. The Vermont Department of Transportation last inspected the bridge in 2005 and will do so again this year. On review of its records and of the photo taken this Labor Day, 2007 [attached] VTrans asserted in an email of September 5 that, "this bridge is sound despite some of its esthetic issues."

If only on "esthetic" grounds, this bridge appears to need attention. As a "Welcome to Vermont" structure, it falls short. It may not be "broke", but it sure "needs fixin'".

Jim, West Fairlee
Posted by Tim Johnson, VPR News Online Producer
]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#977215 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#977215 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#976814 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/vpr/posts/list/872609.page#976814 GMT