Road hazards
I’m writing in response to the front-page story on March 2, concerning the material used on local roads for traction. The story told how Mr. Colborn has had numerous problems with ruined tires. I, on the other hand, have had more than my share of chipped, cracked and broken windshields. I believe Mike Kisko, road programs coordinator for PennDOT, refers to the material as an “anti skid product.” To be more specific, it’s nothing more than small rocks. For the past three years, I have had some form of damage to my windshield. Let me say before it’s blamed on following too closely, the damage has been from cars traveling in the opposite direction. Whatever happened to the old fashioned “anti skid product” – ashes? The newspaper article stated that slag and limestone are combined and used in conjunction with rock salt on rural roadways. When? Where? I live in the mountains and rarely, if ever, see any rock salt on our roadways. Kisko also says “anything that will provide an abrasion or friction.” Well, the current material sure provides abrasion. Talk to anyone who drives Route 40 on a regular basis. I’m sure they have had some sort of friction, too.
Why is such a harsh abrasive material used on Route 40? Again, Kisko said “the location of the roadway and volume of traffic determines what product is used. Routes 119 and 51 typically get pure rock salt because there is enough traffic to activate the chemicals for the salt to be effective. Is he joking? Does he expect anyone to believe that Route 40 doesn’t have enough traffic for rock salt to work properly? Do not insult our intelligence. It’s the main artery from Uniontown to the mountains. It certainly has a high volume of traffic. We need rock salt. We also need a material to provide traction that does not destroy our vehicles.
Contrary to what it seems Mr. Kisko and PennDOT assume, mountain residents are not uneducated hillbillies who drive old beat up pick-up trucks. We are the same people who travel along routes 119 and 51. We pay the same taxes. We deserve the same materials to treat our roadways. We come and go through the mountains daily, not just on the weekends in the summertime.
Bobbi Citro
Ohiopyle