Posted at 04/02/2008 1:14:36 PM in How are the roads in your town?

Re: How are the roads in your town?

I have made an earlier response to this subject and have since been watching the collective groans come in.
(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.

Posted at 03/16/2008 7:26:23 PM in How are the roads in your town?

Re: How are the roads in your town?

I live in Burlington and commute to Waterbury daily for work.

My only other reference for comparison (i.e. the only other place I've lived) are the roads in Minnesota - another very cold state. I would classify the roads in both Burlington, Waterbury, and the stretch of I-89 in between as pathetic.

BURLINGTON: Almost all roads are crumbling apart. I don't find any stretches to be particularly tolerable. Areas like S. Willard from Pearl to CR-7, Pine St., The entirety of Pearl St., East Ave. come to mind as some of the worst.

WATERBURY: There's not much to this place but Main Street and maybe Stowe St. Both in very very poor condition. Stowe St. from the Rail Road tracks through to 100. And Main St. south of Park Row.

I-89: The stretch I drive regularly (from Burlington to Waterbury) is fair. PLEASE FIX the northbound lane up the curving hill just north of Richmond all the way to the large rest stop. The right lane has sunken tire tracks that jostle your car dangerously back and forth - and the left lane has a VERY DANGEROUS dip in the road all the way out past the shoulder. Also, the strip (north and south bound lanes) between Burlington and Winooski is very poor.

Basically, I can't drive anywhere without this issue being constantly on my mind - so THANK YOU for bringing it up. Glad to hear I'm not alone.