we find that people use these paths before the construction is finished so we try to have specs in the contract that require the contractor to complete certain items (in this the railings, fencing and RR signals before or right after the paving.

RIDOT’s intermodal chief, who’s supposed to push, is well aware of this situation. I rode with him last Summer on the alternative, RI-117, which is downright dangerous in spots. In my mind, it’s either one or the other: Finish the bikeway from Quidnick to Hill Farm Road (<$100,000 left in asphalt, engineering done), or remove extra travel lanes from Flat River Road where it parallels and stripe them for bikes. I’ve nearly been nailed several times entering Whitford St in Quidnick where is now ends, as well as intersection at Fairview, Station, Knotty Oak and Sandy Lane. Lately, too, Whitford is strewn with erosion.

I used to regularly complain about such things, and some small token would be taken. You’d think, as it’s the same thing over and over by season, someone would keep records and routinely address. No. If you don’t complain publicly, they do nothing, figure nobody cares, why spend money? Meanwhile, somebody you’re already paying a salary is drinking coffee and dunking a donut or worse. They could fire somebody and hire 20 eager, minimum wage teens desperate for jobs, who’d be glad to get things done, plant greenery, repair rail fences, shovel and sweep. But somebody’s politician brother-in-law might not like it.

There’s just no excuse anymore. Finish what you start.

I salute the Blackstone Bikeway, in my mind the state’s best, certainly a doable alternative commute in hilly Lincoln. It just last Summer that they finally reopened the Martin Street Bridge and entire bikeway after a year of emailing everyone including the press, making a nuisance of myself, and screaming bloody murder. Don’t let them do it to you.