We did do a bit of campaigning on this project with press releases, radio interviews and a lot of word-of-mouth.  I’m sorry they didn’t get the word.  It was unfortunate that we had to do the work during those times of day, but knowing the nature of concrete, it was not always possible to lay if the temps dropped too low.  If we waited until the spring, we’d have to do a whole lot more than what was done that week.

There you have it Mike, though I suspect it's of little comfort. It is true that there are seasonal restrictions on road construction which pushes a lot of work into the warmer months where contractors then have to work around some of our special events, like Hot August Nights. 

But I don't think Mike's frustration stems from a single inconvenience.It seems each year the orange cones sprout like cheat grass and never seem to go away. Or when they do.....the Spaghetti Bowl comes to mind...it's long after they were supposed to and things don't seem to be much better. The truth is we're growing fast and our infrastructure is chronically overmatched. There's a big shortfall in roadway construction funds and the last session of the legislature didn't solve it. It's sure to be the big issue in 2009. Here's a preview: there are no good solutions.

I speak from experience. Decades ago in my hiatus from news work I landed on an advisory commission for transportation named by Governor Bryan. A shortfall in funding for needed projects was then several years long. We were tasked with finding a way to shorten it. Here's one problem: logical revenue sources, user fees like the gas tax are unpopular, even more so as the price at the pump climbs toward $4 a gallon. Moreover, returns tend to be flat. Cars get more fuel efficient, we buy less gas, but user miles increase and the roads still wear out.

In the end we tinkered with various sources...and yes...we recommended a hike in the gas tax. We provided the cover for the legislature and the governor, but none of us solved the problem. Just ask Mike.