Letter to the Editor: Rather than complain about travel inconveniences we face, try to show some grace

It seems like a lot of local social media posts and comments recently have been focusing on all of the road closures and detours the folks driving in Quincy this summer are encountering. It is, without a doubt, a “hot topic.”

Some of the comments are humorous, and their intent is purely in good fun. However, I see an awful lot of negative, angry and derogatory comments about “needing to finish one project/road before another one is torn up,” as well as comments from some who question the intelligence of our city leaders.

I will be the first to say I’m certainly no expert on this subject; however, I would like to put a few observations out there on the topic. Admittedly, before last summer, I might also have been on the bandwagon of wondering “why everything seems to be torn up all at the same time.” But like I said, last summer changed my perspective and opened my eyes to a lot of things I never knew or had considered before. 

After more than 35 years of patiently waiting, my street was finally chosen as one for a very much-needed total overhaul.

Was it an inconvenience to us that summer? Without a doubt.

Was it worth it? Absolutely!

Was it interesting to see the process and watch the progress? Definitely.

Do I understand better why so many road projects are going on simultaneously this year in the city? You bet.

Again, please let me reiterate that I’m no expert on road construction (actually, far from it). I did come to understand that the pieces of equipment these construction companies use are incredibly expensive (hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars for a machine that might only serve one purpose). Additionally, the construction companies might not all own these expensive pieces of equipment themselves. Often, they either rent them for a specific amount of time, or they may subcontract the work out to another company that owns the specific machinery that is needed. 

For example, once the machine that is used to mill up the old road is done on one project, they need to “move on” to the next job site — especially if they are renting that machine for a limited amount of time. As the saying goes, “time is money.” Unless you have been lucky enough to sit a while and take in the whole process, you might not be aware of how much goes into it all.

There are specialized machines (and crews) to lay down curbs and gutters. There are graders, pavers, road rollers and on and on. Once one aspect is done on “your road,” that machine is sent off to another site they are working on. Think about it: It would not be very efficient, nor cost-conscious, to have this machinery (or the crews specific to that machinery) sitting around twiddling their thumbs once their part is complete, because you think one job should be totally completed before another one is started. 

We live in a part of the country where road construction cannot be done year-round. Consequently, we have a lot to get done in a limited amount of time. Many of the current construction projects are years, even decades, overdue. The men and women on these crews are working their tails off, often in some brutal weather during a Midwest summer. 

I guess what I’m saying is this: Instead of constantly complaining about the travel inconveniences we are all facing, try to show a little grace to one another. Plan that your commute is going to take a bit longer and budget your time accordingly. Be kind to your fellow drivers. Be extra vigilant and cautious in construction areas, and be thankful that many long-overdue and much-needed projects are finally happening. Maybe let your alderman or other city officials know you appreciate what’s being done.

One more thing: if you are lucky enough to live or work on a street that is being upgraded, take a little time to watch and learn what is going on. It really is a cool thing to see.

Kathleen Boll
Quincy, Illinois