Bill Yadisernia,I live on Miller Street in Norfolk, and only heard about the street closing on Friday. I am horrified. I have never heard of a whole street being closed for such a repair. Down to one lane, with delays, yes. A whole street that is already closed at one end, no!
I am very frustrated because:
1) We in Norfolk were not notified. At the very least a notice in the paper would have alerted us.
2) School buses from King Philip and Norfolk use Miller Street, and as of Friday had no notice of the closing. Can you imagine the potential havoc that a, say, half-hour unexpected delay would cause for the children and parents as confused bus drivers try to figure out how to negotiate a way into our neighborhood?
3) I have a tomato stand on Miller Street, and derive a full 1/4 of my business from drive-bys, the drastic reduction of which will now directly impact my income. With advance notice, I may have planned differently this year.
4) My 74-year-old mother needs physical therapy at the Adirondac Club. A 6 minute round trip to drop her off will now turn into a long journey with an additional 5 mile detour each way, adding up to 20 miles of extra road traveled (with my two young children) to drop her off and pick her up. That's what, 40 minutes extra traveling? This is not just "a major inconvenience"- it's unreasonable!
I understand the importance of the project, but to close a whole street just to be frugal is to punish a neighborhood for the sake of a budget.
Sincerely,
L. K. [the original had the full name - Wm.]
** Miller Street
Norfolkcc: Norfolknet.com