Really makes me wonder…

They are replacing a bridge in Kennebunk. This is not such a bad thing since the bridge was old, needed to be replaced and they built a temporary bridge a little ways farther down the river which gives everyone a wonderful view of the waterfall. Before they did this the waterfall was just at the edge of the bridge and you could hear it but not really see it unless you looked over the edge of the bridge. But this is not what makes me wonder.

Traffic is seriously compromised because everyone has to leave Route 1, carefully turn corners, go across the temporary bridge slowly and then wind their way back up to Route 1. It requires patience and attention to not hit anyone. Still, this isn’t what makes me wonder.

What makes me wonder is the fact that, with all that is going on with traffic tie-ups in Kennebunk, they (those in charge) decided that this is the PERFECT time to re-pave Main Street (which is also Route 1).

Today people who were driving south on Route 1 through Kennebunk had to detour from Route 1 right after the intersection where town hall is located, go up Fletcher Street, turn left to go down Mechanic Street, turn left to go down Storer Street back towards Route 1. Then they had to cross Route 1 to wind their way down to the temporary bridge, cross the bridge and wind their way back to Route 1. During rush hour (both times) and all day long.

What exactly were they thinking? Route 1/Main Street in Kennebunk was just re-designed last year with new lights, new curbs and new parking spaces. They couldn’t have gone one step further then and just re-paved the road? BEFORE they started to work on the bridge?

Things like this really make me wonder. Lucky for me, I happen to know a back way to get where I am going and, when I was using the back way, it seemed like not too many people had thought of it because it was relatively free of traffic.

I had a number of trips to take today to and from Kennebunk and, as the day progressed, I noticed that tempers were getting short and there was language that was used that I don’t want to repeat here. Not that I blame people. It was a completely frustrating situation and, as far as I could see, a completely unnecessary situation.

I’m sure if I asked those in authority why they did what they did, they would have a perfectly logical explanation. Probably something to do with cost, weather, and necessity. But sometimes all those things are trumped by common sense. Common sense says that if a problem (bad pavement) isn’t that horrendous, re-paving would be better off done at a time that would be the least inconvenient for everyone concerned. Like either before or after the bridgework.

Really, truly makes me wonder….