Tom Says: “I guess nothing lasts forever…”
A few short years ago, the city of Saint John and the province of New Brunswick collaborated on the total reconstruction of Rothesay Avenue in the city.
For those of you who don’t know, Rothesay Ave is a four lane road, and other than the thru-way, is perhaps the main link between the city centre and the uptown. It could best be described as “the auto mile,” because most car dealers in the city are located on this stretch of road.
The road was in terrible shape and many folks claim it was because it was never built right in the first place. So, for weeks on end, what looked like at the time, “open pit mining” was carried on. Traffic was reduced and often stopped, businesses were inconvenienced and in general — the entire thing was a pain in the ass. But, we were told at the time, that this rebuilding of the road is absolutely necessary and when it’s done “you’ll be able to drive on it forever…”
I’ve checked every dictionary I can find and no where does it say that forever means five years or less. Because you can’t imagine what they’re doing to Rothesay Avenue – they’re rebuilding it! In some areas, traffic is down to two lanes, one in each direction and being stopped by the movement of heavy equipment is not unknown.
I have to ask the question, if the last rebuilding of Rothesay Avenue was to last forever will this one last forever and a day? Or, is this another of those great plans that five years from now will be rebuilt again?
I’m Tom Young.