A quick jaunt south on Rice road in Butler could result in a floor pan scrape and a front end alignment thanks to raised pavement and wheel gobbling potholes.
In fact, a recent Facebook post offered a “2 bedroom, 1 bath pothole for rent” on Rice Road as well.
All joking aside, many who travel through and live along Rice Road have been quite vocal about the conditions that seem to be worsening by the day.
“I’ve talked to the county commission and others multiple times and still can’t get answers about getting it fixed” says Brian Gifford, who lives right along the “fault line” across and just south of Jones Brothers Lumber.
As we spoke with Gifford he mentioned the lumber company across the road. “Yes, their trucks come through here but the bulk of trucks aren’t theirs. Seems a lot of others like to cut through here to avoid going under the train bridge and stoplight on west 52 highway.”
And sure enough, in our 20 or so minute conversation three rolled by, none of which belonged to the lumber company. Gifford says on any particular day he loses count of how many.
He reached out to Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley who said that while they are generally in charge of county roads, individual townships are responsible for maintaining those within their own jurisdiction.
Gifford’s dismay is compounded by the fact that the dispute lingers as the city and township must agree not only on how repairs will be made but must split the cost as well, which could be complicated and pricey.
According to information from a spokesperson for Mount Pleasant township, the city prefers that particular section be repaved, however the township says they are not equipped to maintain asphalt other than patching potholes. Gravel would be a better option for them, but not for the city.
It seems that flattening the road and repaving would require additional work that if not done would result in the same problems experienced now.
At this juncture, Gifford and township officials are left to plea their case to the Butler city council.
More on this is expected in upcoming days.
