2003 Year in Review

Bridge Business

Here is a puzzlement I sometimes faced as a teacher: How should I grade two students who submit identical answers on an assignment? My solution was to return their papers with this question written on them, “Did you copy Susie/Joe, or did Susie/Joe copy you?” After a private chat with the students, we usually decided to delete the copied answers.

You must be the teacher in deciding who copied whom in this pair of quotations about bridges.

It has always seemed to me that the best symbol of common sense was a bridge. Franklin Delano Roosevelt

It has always seemed to me that the most difficult part of building a bridge would be the start. Robert Benchley

My concern with bridges stems from the fact that our lovely covered bridge is concealed from the general public and, especially, tourists. Think quickly! How would you verbally guide a stranger to the bridge?

Hence, the need for directional highway signing. This is a complex process, due to township, city, county, state, and interstate roadway jurisdictions.

Last month, the Illinois Department of Transportation, IDOT, notified John Bauscher, Assistant to the Whiteside County Engineer, of its ability to provide some signs for us. They are unable to provide signs at all the locations requested, however.

IDOT will install signs at US Route 30 with Orange Street and Illinois Route 78 with Damen Road north of town. Their “signs will be installed as the scheduling of equipment and personnel allows,” likely, this spring.

This left additional areas where directional signs are needed to bring visitors to the bridge. Bauscher notified City Administrator Joe Woith and Mr. Pleasant Township Highway Commissioner Bob Wagenecht that signs are needed at the north end of Orange Street and the intersection of Damen and Crosby Roads, near the exit of Morrison Rockwood State Park.

Bauscher will order the brown and white signs. The cost will be shared between Mt. Pleasant Township and Whiteside County.

Perhaps the best symbol of common sense is a well-placed sign.

by Stephanie A. Vavra, Guest Columnist
February 3, 2003