Legislators protest no-plow policy in rural areas
Posted : Dec 29, 2009 7:25 AM
Updated: Dec 29, 2009 7:27 AM
If you live out in the boonies, don't expect the state to clear the roads at night for you. The Colorado Department of Transportation has decided to leave snow on nearly 2,800 miles of lightly traveled rural highways at night.
Some legislators are protesting the state's decision. A dozen legislators, mostly Republicans, are asking Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter and C-DOT to have plows remove snow on those roads.
State Sen. Greg Brophy of Wray says the policy is a basic safety issue and not plowing the outlying highways is an ill-advised cost-saving measure.
Transportation Department spokeswoman Stacey Stegman says it's been general practice to leave rural highways unplowed overnight unless they are a hospital or school route or if more snow would close them.
NotAnymore at Dec 29th 2009 10:11 AM
Another example of our out-of-touch government officials at work. Any of us who live out here know they hardly ever plow out here. Been that way for years and years. NOW you care?
c. Johnson at Dec 29th 2009 11:01 AM
Anybody that lives out in rural america knows to be prepared for the worst. (or, should!) They have four wheel drive, a tractor, a snowmobile or a horse. none of which rely on plowed roads to get through. Want pamperin', Move to the city.
CO Native at Dec 29th 2009 1:24 PM
The best part is that the man protesting it (Greg Brophy) has no other solution because as he says finding ways of cutting the budget should be left to the experts. That's exactly where the plan came from. This just makes sense. I've lived on back roads my whole life, and I'm already well on my way to work long before the plows come. It's just part of living in a rural area, you've got to be prepared.
socosupporter at Dec 29th 2009 7:20 PM
I agree that rural folks tend to be much better prepared to deal with nature, however, even though we are used to going without many conveniences the issue of not plowing State HIGHWAYS comes down to a safety issue. Virtually closing down State Highways for over 10 hours a day and shutting off entire towns is not a good move. In addition, it seems to me that we pay the same taxes as others for the privilege of having roads maintained. And to c. Johnson...I think you need to remember if you want meat and vegetables for your family they ultimately come from us pampered rural folk, not your neighborhood Wall Mart.
Thebrit at Dec 29th 2009 8:11 PM
I must concur with socosupporter on this issue. The inability to guarantee that emergency vehicles can get through to persons located in homes on or near the highways, in a timely manner, due to non-plowing is unacceptable.
I personally HAVE a four-wheel drive vehicle and on too many occasions have been unable to get home due to the depth of snow remaining on the highway. The only people who appear to benefit through this is the hotel industry.