Goin’ down the road feelin’ bad

Discussion

September 26, 2012

Goin’ down the road feelin’ bad

Paul W. Barada Rushville Republican The Rushville Republican Wed Sep 26, 2012, 11:11 AM EDT

RUSHVILLE — Dear Editor:

I’m no Roads Scholar, but it’s time for me to express my displeasure with our highways being repaved using the “simply awful” chip and seal method.

For many years, chip and seal was used on county blacktops, being an inexpensive method of maintaining these back roads. Using this treatment on a major thoroughfare would have been unthinkable.

Now, all Indiana highways are getting the black, rough, noisy and just plain ugly treatment, plus they appear to have been run over with a broad-tooth comb, leaving longitudinal grooves. These grooves are particularly disturbing if one is on a motorcycle, as the front wheel tends to do an ongoing squirmy dance.

It has come to pass that there is no state highway into or out of Rush County that has not been given this (mis)treatment. Highways 3 and 44 in both directions have fallen victim. U.S. 52, a national highway, has been “ground off,” a nasty but necessary intermediate phase of repaving. This condition has remained for a long time--who knows when the final top layer will be installed. Of greater interest is whether U.S. 52 will be given proper conventional repaving, or if it, too, will receive the dreaded chip and seal surface. (I have written to both the state and federal highway departments seeking this information, but have not yet received a reply, although replies are promised via canned messages.)

Presumably this new (for highways) treatment is being done as a money-saving act, and perhaps it is cheaper than the traditional and proper method of repaving. It certainly should be.

I would hesitate to say that the heavy hands of lobbyists for the crushed limestone, liquid tar, and tire industries might be detected here, but it is a thought.

I consider a little piece of “Road Heaven” to be State Road 3 from the Rush/Decatur line down to Greensburg. It’s the only slice of good state road remaining. It remains to be seen when it will also be converted to the nasty chip and seal surface.

While this method of treating highways may indeed save governments some money, no one has mentioned the millions of tires that will be worn out before their time by the new rough, rasp-like surface. Tire dealers should be delighted.

The chips used in chip and seal are like billions of tiny razors. While some of those edges may be softened somewhat by the liquid tar poured upon them, the damaging surface remains.

Perhaps some expert from the Department of Transportation will successfully debunk every claim laid out in this letter. If they’re sufficiently convincing, I’ll backtrack.

But I’ll never backtrack from declaring that the chip and seal method is a major step backward in our infrastructure; sadly, I fear, just one example of many ongoing steps backward for our state and nation.

If you have an opinion, pro or con, I invite you to write me at normvoiles@frontier.com.

Best regards,

Norm Voiles

Citizen of Rush County; native of Decatur County

Text Only

Letters to the Editor

A grateful heart
Dear Editor:
The family of Johnny R. Tompkins would like to express our deepest gratitude to Ann Moster and Moster Mortuary for their caring and loving support in the midst of our grief and graciously assisting us with arrangements of a wonderful celebration of life for Johnny.

May 7, 2013
RPL fundraising off to good start
Dear Editor:
On behalf of the Rushville Public Library, the board of trustees extends its thanks to all who supported our recent kickoff of the capital campaign, “It’s Overdue, Renew.”

May 7, 2013
Arc appreciation
Dear Editor:
The Arc of Rush County recently held a dance for Benjamin Rush students.

May 7, 2013
Class Of ’63 Reunion Committee looks for classmates
As the Rushville High School Class of 1963, continues plans for their 50th reunion, organizers are seeking the assistance of the public in locating several classmates who are listed as “lost.”

May 3, 2013
RCVA thanks BP/DOCS
Dear Editor:
On behalf of the Rush County Victims Assistance, Inc. Board of Directors, this letter is to publicly acknowledge and sincerely thank local BP DOCS Shops and BP Products North America, Inc. for the third and final installment of a grant approved in 2011 to support local organizations in the community where they do business.

April 23, 2013
Giving thanks
Dear Editor:
We want to say a special thanks to the American Legion for the room and the use of everything and a special thanks to Kenny Walker for supplying the food extras and also everyone who brought food.

April 17, 2013
Thanks
Dear Editor:
Thanks to my family and friends for all the care, prayers, calls, flowers, cards, gifts, food and visits during my illness, surgery and recuperation. Thanks also to Rush Memorial and the Home Health Care Team.

April 17, 2013
Multiple acts of kindness don’t go unnoticed
Dear Editor:
My son Josh goes to Milroy Elementary. He is my special boy who is autistic. He is also the Salvation Army’s bell ringer with a big heart.

April 10, 2013
Likes the lions
Dear Editor:
My family and I drive through Rushville to visit family.

April 9, 2013
Remembering an old friend
Dear Editor:
The Mike Lacy I knew was a man who lived in the past. We only spent time with each other a few years, in high school and for a few years after. Mike and I shared a love of old movies, TV shows, music, and classic radio programs. Along with friends, we participated in parades in Rushville and other activities, dressing as the Marx Brothers with Mike portraying W.C. Fields (this was when Mike was heavier and before he became his svelte self).

April 3, 2013
More Letters to the Editor Headlines

Letters to the Editor

Search Results

Discussion

Goin’ down the road feelin’ bad

Site Map

Contact Us