Hot Topic – Our Roads
Roads have been a hot topic ever since the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors declared almost all of the rural roads “non-priority”, meaning no new pavement and minimal repairs. But since storms have hit the west county roads hard, driving conditions lead many a conversation. So we asked a few west county residents how they felt about their roads and their “non-priority” to the local government.
Suzie Cohan, Occidental resident: They are worse than roads in Nicaragua. The potholes are so bad I am forced to drive on the left side. It’s dangerous. I don’t understand how Occidental Road isn’t a priority. It’s a major link for everyone trying to get to Santa Rosa.
Eric Koenigshofer, former Freestone resident, and former west Sonoma County Supervisor: The state of our roads reflects the state of our local economy and the budget. I learned that Public Works filled 80,000 potholes last year. Our roads are old and the population of our state has grown to 38 million people.
Melanie Diaz, Bodega resident who commutes to Occidental: The conditions are pretty bad. It’s like driving through a field of landmines. It’s dark when I come to work, so it’s even worse. It’s very frustrating and I think the county picked the wrong roads and should look again.
Gary Limuti, resident of unincorporated west county: They are the worst. I picked my son up from school and tore out my front end. My car repair costs are going up. I’d say I’m angry as hell about it and not going to take it any more but I do realize there are budget problems.
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I am forced to drive at twenty miles per hour and dodge potholes so my ball joints aren’t ripped apart further..One of the manhole covers drops don several inches before bottoming. This causes your wheel, lower steering assembly, and tire to be destroyed at some point….These non-improved roads are making money for mechanics and parts sales. But those that don’t repair or maintain will cause a serious accident and you might become a victim……I’ve seen cars unfit for the roads operated on city streets. They have no control of the front end…..
If you think the conditions are bad in your automobile, try a motorcycle. Talk about scary and all the more dangerous. Some rider is going to get killed because of the road conditions then the county will be sued. They need to find some remedy. And soon cause it’s only going to get worse and will just cost more. Stop using the ostrich mentality.
I pride myself as being a defensive driver…that used to mean watching out for other drivers. The past several years, however, since moving to the Coast and traveling Bodega Hwy into Sebastopol, I concentrate on dodging potholes. The piecemeal repairs don’t last a season and make the roads more dangerous in the long run.