Resident questions need for repairs

To the Editor:

Stop and think about it.

Take a look, and you may be surprised.

Bowling Green Bridge over Eel River closed on Nov. 1, 2011, and reopened Dec. 22, 2011.

According to (the Indiana Department of Transportation), and this was more than five years ago, the bridge over Eel River, in a 24-hour period, carries more than 4,500 vehicles across the main highway to Spencer, Ellettsville, Bloomington and all smaller towns like Gosport, and let's not forget, Bowling Green.

The reason for closure was what appears to be approximately 72-inches by 14-inches and ¾-inches thick.

This measurement came from a picture in the paper.

It cost more than $43,000 in "taxpayer dollars."

The down time was more than seven weeks and two days. That piece of steel that measured 72-by-14 and ¾-inch thick had a slight crack in it.

My question to INDOT: Our local political machine met with state representatives. Was that really necessary, to spend $43,000, close it for seven weeks and cause collateral damage beyond estimate, over a crack?

It gets worse.

In October 2010, the Poland State Road 42 Bridge over the "beautiful Eel River" was closed.

This bridge is a direct artery from State Road 59 to State Road 231 at Cloverdale, entertains 3,500 vehicles in a 24-hour period. Yet again, the same people, mentioned above, found it necessary to close this bridge from October 2010 to January 2011. That's 15 weeks and four days.

Here again, the cost is outrageous, more than $34,000 "taxpayer dollars."

What for? Good question. Two strut supports, approximately 16-by-6.

Don't believe it.

Let's take a look. Can't miss them. They are painted blue. Total cost: $77,000.

Collateral damage? Could exceed $1 million.

Think about it. If you want to be treated like a sheep, just act like one.

LT Clark,

Center Point