Regarding the ongoing dispute over who will clear snow from the walkway along I-393 between Main Street and Commercial Street: The city won’t own this task because I-393 is a state roadway, and the state Department of Transportation won’t take it on either because of a policy that “NHDOT doesn’t clear sidewalks.”
It seems that this is just a bureaucratic decision, based on the idea that no one will argue with it. But now some people are challenging that decision. If that walkway got built, why can’t it be used?
NHDOT has used N.H. citizens’ fuel tax and vehicle fees money to build that I-393 sidewalk, and now it needs to be available to all who need it. This is how our system works.
If NHDOT can build stuff with our tax money and then not make it available, what’s next: “NHDOT Widens I-93 Through Concord but Does Not Maintain It.”
If the state builds it with tax money, then it needs to be made available by maintaining it year round, same as tax-funded roads, bridges and state building walkways.
Who clears the walkways at the state buildings on Hazen Drive?
Bill Miskoe
Pittsfield