Letter: Local roadways show we don’t care

Sen. Lindsey Graham spoke at the local Chamber of Commerce last year and stated that Beaufort County is the state’s most prosperous county and a treasure for South Carolina.

However, our stewardship of our infrastructure exhibits indifference and neglect.

From Interstate-95 on U.S. 278 we have pavement ruts and erosion that have existed for a long time, even years.

Surface streets in Bluffton and on Hilton Head Island have similar flaws and many of them have existed for a long time.

Old Town Bluffton’s parking is inadequate.

U.S. 278’s berms and medians in most areas haven’t been trimmed for weeks. Litter is scattered on the entry bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway.

Yes, we have the pall of beach renourishing and the fly-over connector to Bluffton Parkway under construction. It could cause observers to believe they are being undertaken to improve the area.

But the other flaws of neglect and poor taste are simply indicative of a state, county, towns and communities that lack the gracefulness to show that they care. Civilized people dress and groom themselves to be respectful of other people.

Creating an elegant landscape and roads in good repair is our area’s way of showing we welcome and respect visitors. Our blighted conditions are incongruent with doing things to attract visitors, such as the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing golf tournament, or the miles of bike pathways.

Shame to state, county and community leaders who are careless, but let us hope they aren’t clueless.

This story was originally published June 9, 2016 at 8:10 PM with the headline "Letter: Local roadways show we don’t care."