Thomas Bonaccorsi: Some ideas as more construction on White Oaks Road begins again

To The Daily Sun,

Strange sounds heard up and down White Oaks Road ...

Did residents hear it? I sure did. All up and down the road this weekend. Clearly audible ughs and groans from the whole neighborhood as people learned their fate, after two solid summers of ongoing road construction, blasting, digging holes, road closures, various "Checkpoint Charlies" where residents have to check in to ask to return home, potholes that would make spring blush. After all this, finally, at last, finishing on Friday, we learn that our once peaceful quiet road is now going to be used as the primary detour to do yet more construction happening on the boulevard. Has anyone from the town really thought this through? We are already experiencing a major increase in traffic flow from all the condo and housing developments springing up all over like weeds in our vegetable gardens. Unfortunately, however, the town has decided to do this, and we have little-to-no say about it.

Perhaps a few things could be done to mitigate these circumstances and make it safer for our residents. There's merit: The current speed limit is 35 mph, which is normal for this type of road. It is, however, probably one of the most abused speed limits in town. Given the massive increase in traffic that is about to occur, consider lowering it to 30 or even 25 mph. Along with that, I would also respectfully ask our law enforcement to increase patrols in that area. It is said that the most important safety device in anyone's vehicle is a police cruiser in their rear-view mirror, and I think there should be a lot more mirrors with a police cruiser installed.

There is one last suggestion: The residents on this road are mandated to have their mailboxes located on the eastern side of the road. However, there are many residents who live on the west side, some of whom are a little seasoned, and like myself, may have trouble walking fast. Coupling that with the number of hills and curves on this road causes me to fear that some of our neighbors would be taking their life in their hands just to do something as mundane as checking the mail. Perhaps the post office would allow the residents on the west side of the street to move their mailboxes to the same side of the street as their houses are on. Thus, eliminating the need for them to cross an increasingly busy road. Obviously, this would entail a minor inconvenience for the post office, separating odds from evens and such, but it sure beats somebody getting hurt from something so preventable.

Finally, I would ask all our fellow citizens traveling White Oaks Road, please stay alert and watch for pedestrians, kids on bikes and scooters, as well as deer and turkeys, which abound. This is going to be stressful for all involved but if we are all patient and use a little common sense, we'll get through it.

Thomas Bonaccorsi

Laconia