March 25: Safety First
RANT: In addition to Margaret Brandt's RANT about the lack of visibility of street markings in inclement weather, I'd like to add that it would be of a safety concern to paint the curbing of the turn lanes in the street islands that Tyler has.
I would like to see reflective white paint on the ends of these islands. More than once in rainy weather, especially at night, I have run over the end of the curb in the turn lane where North Beckham intersects with East Gentry Parkway because I couldn't see it. It's a matter of safety for the citizens to have the street lines and ends of the islands painted. I realize that funds are tight, but if the powers that be can find money to put up confusing left turn lights, they can surely find money to paint the streets.
Also, regarding Tyler streets that need repair, I would like to add Old Troup Highway where it intersects with SSE. Loop 323 at The Southeast Crossing Post Office. I've lived in Tyler since 1982 and that road by the post office has always been full of holes. The patches of asphalt that are occasionally placed in the holes, are done so poorly that by the next rain the patch is being torn out.
While I'm on a roll, what's with the drainage culverts in the new Loop 323 islands? The edge where it meets the street is a couple of inches above street level. I realize that some of this is to allow for street paving material, but the lip of the opening is what I'm concerned with. Just how is rain drainage supposed to enter the drain when it's prohibited from reaching the opening? Water runs downhill and these culverts should be designed to direct water into the opening; not prohibit it. If you look at the much older drainage culverts around town, you will see that the lip is low and not angled so high. I assume that these are preformed openings that were set into the islands; much as the concrete culverts are in bar ditches.
Where's the street/highway department's common sense when they are purchasing these things? Is this another case of the lowest bid not being the best decision?
Terry Wall
Tyler
Tyler
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