As the city's engineering office completes a list of streets to be repaired this summer, one has to wonder what streets don't need repair.

Streets fortunate enough to make the list will be completed by September of 2007, only to be torn up by plows four months later.

Why bother?

The city seems to be stuck in some sort of “repair to destroy” plan. It snows, we plow, the plows tear up the roads, we repave; like a Zamboni clearing ice.

But this cycle seems a ridiculous waste of time and resources. The money spent mending our roads every summer could better be used researching ways to combat the damage caused by our harsh winters. If the plows are responsible for much of the road damage, investigate the plows.

If the roads aren't holding up to the plows, investigate the roads. It makes no sense to continue a routine that isn't an effective solution to the problem.

I suspect that better solutions haven't been explored due to cost and convenience. For example, closing North Street in its entirety would require lengthy detours, annoying to drivers.

Business owners would also be affected as profits would undoubtedly suffer from the hassle imposed upon their patrons.

Repaving one lane at a time is obviously more cost effective and convenient than tearing up a major road, however what is cost effective and convenient is not always the best option.

The silver lining is that the city has received some grant money and predicts major repairs to begin in the next four to six years.

The city also offers a program wherein if half the homeowners on a street are willing to pay to redo their own gutters and curbs, the street could be eligible for city attention. Although exclusive and somewhat vague, this program could provide more immediate assistance to residents residing on side streets.

In the meantime, I suggest the reconstruction of one main road this summer rather than minimal repairs throughout the city. It's senseless to waste existing funds on surface maintenance that has proved unsuccessful in the past.

Roads like Genesee Street and North Street are in need of repair beyond a fresh layer of blacktop.

The city's engineers seem to be waiting for federal and state assistance to begin restoration, instead of getting a head start with the funds immediately available.

It's time to invest money in a more permanent solution.

Estabrook's column appears

Mondays in The Citizen,

and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com