Highways and roads poorly designed
As I’m writing this the highway is closed between Duncan and Chemainus. I’ve often wondered about the ones that design our highways. When side roads and driveways are deliberately designed to run water onto a busy highway, then another person gives the go-ahead, what does this say about the people in charge?
Concrete barriers with tiny openings for water, road shoulders that would only need a few degrees off level to keep the water off the road surface, grass verge allowed to grow up higher than the pavement next to them, Does anyone in charge realize that we get rain on this island?
A swale built into a side road, the same or a diagonal water bar on a driveway, road shoulders that slant slightly toward the ditch, pave slightly over the edge of the breakover into the ditch, more and bigger drain holes in the concrete barrier, have the potential to fix a lot of the problems. Just because the ones in charge never thought of these things does not mean they aren’t workable ideas.
If they would cost too much then admit costs are out of hand and our taxes cannot keep up with the maintenance of our roads, and then realize your budget has to be part of the problem of runaway expenses.
When the new bridge on Chemainus Road was built, a centre pier was added. With all the logging that is going on, debris will come down the river, of course it will hang up on that obstruction and cause problems. With all the education represented here where was the real world experience? Sometimes experience and no diploma or other piece of paper can be a learning experience for others.
It sounds like I’m critisizing a lot, yes I am, but I’ve offered solutions to some of the design problems.
Ken Sharp
Ladysmith