Construction has gone overboard

I have lived in Cedar Rapids my whole life. I know that every summer involves orange barrels, orange cones, flashing arrows and a few pieces of heavy machinery. But it seems this year, the construction has gone overboard.

Take into consideration that we have a new convention center that will be narrowing First Avenue for the better part of two years, construction on both east and central sections of that same street that narrow traffic to one lane each direction. Third Avenue SE is in a constant state of disrepair, especially where it connects to the medical monstrosity on 10th Street and all of that mess. Now we have the Eighth Avenue bridge closed and 30th Street Drive is closed, which is a cut through to East Post Road. The detour for Eighth Avenue bridge is a mess because of other side-street construction including parts of Czech Village. Edgewood Road is also down to two lanes.

How is it that the city decides to close major roads at the same time, tying up traffic and in some cases, there seems to be no work being done? Often I drive by and there are piles of materials and dormant machines. I have worked in residential construction and know that there can be lulls, but come on.

I live off Bever Avenue, which has at least six years' worth of asphalt patch on it. Why are we tearing up new streets and side roads when there are older neighborhoods that need urgent attention?

Amy Anderson

Cedar Rapids