To the editor:
After three years of exhaustive studies and Public Input, the City of Rochester has rolled out the Checkered Flag, to begin another Roundabout project.
When I checked the City of Rochester site
I found this:
“No official direct public rendering or standalone image file of the proposed mini-roundabout design is hosted directly as a public photo link by the city, but you can find project details and updates through the City of Rochester Public Works.”
Really? Three years of not presenting even a single smidgen of a conceptual drawing of what they’d agreed upon? Are you telling the taxpayers, not even an “Etch-a-Sketch” rendering of the project could be made?
Blatantly Incompetent!
I can’t wait to see their perceived Conceptual Design!
Why? Because while Pickering Road traffic was being diverted, I spotted a resident in the yard, and spoke to this person.
I asked how much of their beautiful property would be taken for this Circle?
I was told that someone from the city indicated that there would “not” be any encroachment on anyone’s property!
The entire project would be confined to the current road designation!
One day later I was at this intersection, when a large tractor trailer was negotiating a turn, and I found myself pulling off onto the Grassy Knoll by the Stop sign, to allow this vehicle to pass through.
The estimated cost is $1.5 Million Dollars.
90% is federally funded.
I don’t care who they claim is funding these projects.
So, if you want to know who’s footing the bill, take a Selfie.
The site did mention that if I wanted to look at concept photos I could go to the Public Works site.
Wrong, something this large (?) and costly should have been made known publicly!
No one should need to go around digging up what should be public information!
Furthermore, what will the “Esplanade Flora and Fauna Committee” dream up to brighten the pathways for pedestrians?
- Lou Archambault,
Gonic
A New Hampshire Press Association member