Editor, The Record:
I have today for the umpteenth time in the last few months, used the freshly resurfaced portion of Cedar Street. I find myself moved (literally) to ask a question or two about this alleged improvement to our local infrastructure.
Firstly, is this really the finished road surface? The new section of road is chronically uneven along its entire length and downright lumpy in places. Surely a brand new road should at least begin its life as a smooth highway? The poor state of the current surface (both apparently undulating with the underlying foundation and with surface-based lumps) does not bode well for the longevity of this project.
Since the oddly shaped median has been laid and landscaped I am assuming this is being checked off as a job well done. I beg to differ! Secondly, are the road surfaces at the intersections of Cedar and Tunbridge, Egglestone and Cherry all completed? If so, someone should be ashamed because the surfaces at these intersections (in particular at Cherry) are simply appalling and really should not have been left in this condition, even as a temporary measure.
Finally, what is the projected finish date for this project? As I recall, it began in August last year with much digging and tree-felling and then seemed to take an age to progress during the fall and into winter; surely the worst time to try to lay a new road.
We seem to be limping along with a project that is taking a very long time to complete, with a road that is substandard along its full length and with some serious issues yet to be addressed, made all the worse while traffic is continually using it.
Of course appearances can be deceptive, but at the moment (with the near-end activity such as new traffic lights being installed it does after all look like the engineers are almost ready to walk away) this has the hallmarks of a poorly managed and expensive botch which will need more attention before it is 12 months old.
Hopefully there are still things to be finished and these issues will disappear, but right now I have an uncomfortable feeling about this project.
And not only in my suspension!
Leo Simmons
Mission