by Kaitlin Newman
TU Journalism Student | Oct. 6th
The streets are paved in construction workers. Everyone who drives a car has noticed the stop-and-go traffic encountered throughout every commute. Construction workers dot the roads like lane markings, making commuting to destinations a longer process than ever.
The Government Federal Stimulus Package is a large project with the order of $500 to $800 billion dollars targeted for the employment of citizens by having them work on public infrastructures. This has been nationally distributed, employing thousands of previously unemployed citizens.
This is all in an effort to employ America, to give jobs to those who are unemployed, while improving the roadways and structure of the country both literally and figuratively. This all may be better for the future, but right now it’s causing stress and confusion as people make their daily drives to work and school, especially in the Towson/Baltimore area.
Graffiti marks a bridge that is currently being torn down. Construction workers hold traffic up and make commutes twice as long as normal.
The expanding roads get smaller until they are complete. Causing problems for everyday civilians. “The roadwork seems like a contradiction because although they say it’s being done to help the citizens and to make travel easier, instead its just wasting money and clogging up the area,” said Ian Wilson, a frequent highway commuter.
The cones, construction workers, and signs that clog up the roadways have become a stationary sight for the time being and are expected to remain for a while. The work being done is a lengthy process and consists mainly of dismantling and rebuilding large public transportation structures such as bridges, exit ramps, and widening the road.
While many of the people employed are qualified to do this type of work, some are not. The projects being created are expected to last, not have to be redone in a decade and the only way that result can be achieved is by employing qualified people.
Employing untrained people for these jobs is a red flag to safety. “It’s a safety hazard to employ those who do not go through apprenticeships for these types of jobs just for the sake employing the nation; its only safe if those employed know what they’re doing.” Timothy Chisum, a local construction worker who has specialized training in this area. “When you learn these trades through an apprenticeship, you also learn valuable skills such as CPR,” said Chisum.
The outcome of the Government Federal Stimulus Package may be a great one, but a lengthy process must first be endured.
Joan Goad, a Towson area civilian, expresses her opinion on the roadwork dotting the city landscape.
