To the editor:
This past winter saw dramatic swings in weather that may not be typical to the area. The freeze-thaw cycles risk damage to infrastructure. Both Southeast and Central Ohio roads have been noticeably affected. With Athens County being one of the poorest counties in the state by per capita income, potential damage to personal vehicles can be a major disruption.
This issue extends beyond public roads. Currently, The Plains Market, formerly Piggly Wiggly, has holes in the parking lot deeper many vehicles’ tire sidewall thickness. On the roads, uneven surfaces and bumps threaten to reduce vehicles’ traction. Even if damage is only minor, misalignment caused by bumps and potholes make future driving more dangerous, especially on curvy Athens roads. Future infrastructure projects including road and parking lot repair may want to weigh increasing extreme weather events more as the climate continues to change.
John Date
Athens, Ohio