Beware of city's work
Bakersfield citizens should be alarmed with the announcement by City Manager Alan Tandy that road repairs will commence with the end of the rainy season. People along the Stockdale Highway corridor from Highway 99 to Gosford/Coffee Road have witnessed firsthand what this means.
At the onset of the fall activity season, over five months ago, barriers and detours began, which exist to this day. Many businesses suffered unrecoverable losses due to the obstruction of entry to locations. Revenue during the holiday season was devastated and continues to be crimped.
Automobile front ends have been knocked out of alignment by the improperly paved thoroughfare with "curbs" of up to four inches existing between the road surface and the adjoining roadway. Many residents avoid the street entirely.
The unlit barriers are hazardous at night and accidents have occurred. At least these accidents are non-fatal, because traffic must go slowly.
The city has offered several excuses for the poorly planned and miserably executed venture. The city also states that it cannot pour asphalt during cold weather, even though there are several different types of asphalt paving that can go on in moderate weather. As one drives along the street sometimes there are workers present, but this is very rare.
If the city starts to work on your street, beware -- they are not capable of planning, supervising and executing this type of work. Of course, this is federal money which the city cherishes. Which taxpayers were tapped for this fund?
RICHARD JENNINGS
Bakersfield
