To the editor:
Everytime I drive on our pothole-riddled and patchwork-laced roadways, I ask myself, “Why should motorists and taxpayers bear the cost of repairing and replacing roadways because of shoddy workmanship performed by for-profit utility companies, cable-television companies and private contractors?
Besides paying to repair and replace the roadways motorists and taxpayers pay the cost of new tires and repairs to their vehicles and the cost for municipalities to administer safety considerations related to roadways repairs and replacements, the cost of road-damaged municipal equipment, the cost of filling potholes and making temporary repairs to the damaged road surfaces and the cost of medical care related to accidents that are the result of some roadway conditions.
In order to address and minimize problems and costs related to the conditions of roadways, I suggest that the municipal department responsible for roads be more diligent as regards to how its roads are cut into and backfilled. One way to accomplish this would be to prepare and adopt specifications and regulations for the design, repair, and replacement of roads. Thereafter, permits and performance bonds should be required from applicants. The regulations should be enforced and overseen by a qualified municipal employee. Any subsequent problem with a road repair would have to be reported by and at the expense of the permittee or, failing that, by the bonding company.
Adapting road-repair and replacement regulations and protocols would be the first step on a long journey, but unless this issue is addressed, the cost of repairing and replacing our roads will be an ever-increasing monetary burden on our taxpayers and motorists.
Sincerely yours,
John F. Burke
Swampscott
