Just Sayin': Redo our roads with concrete, not blacktop

Redo our roads with concrete, not blacktop

As I drive on Long Island's major highways, including the Long Island Expressway, and the Northern State, Southern State and Ocean parkways, it amazes me why they keep putting blacktop over them when they were originally concrete. Concrete lasts so much longer and gets few potholes. If you drive on the LIE, you see the condition. The blacktop deteriorates within a few years because of our winters whereas concrete is highly durable. Granted it looks beautiful when it’s new, but that is short-lived.

I know -- we'll be told that it’s so much cheaper to use blacktop instead of concrete, but figure out the cost in the long run of having to redo these roads every few years. They redid a stretch of the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn in concrete and there are no potholes.

And neighborhood roads is another issue. We pay some of the highest taxes in the country, and I venture to say some local roads have not been repaved in more than 40 years.

Michael Hare, Levittown

I drove on the Long Island Expressway on a round trip to Bridgehampton. What a disgrace. The eastbound HOV lane in the 50s and 60s exits is miles of potholes with the road literally splitting and the shoulder littered with trash and broken car and truck parts. Westbound in the 60s exits, you need Grumman's lunar landing module to return in the left lane. It's shameful.

Glenn Tyranski, Huntington

The road surface of the Long Island Distressway east of Sunken Meadow State Parkway is an abomination. It’s sad that the expressway has been so neglected. After living here for all 80 years of my life, I find the roads disgusting. Recently, my wife and I were heading eastbound on the LIE. After entering the service road by Veterans Memorial Highway, we saw garbage alongside this road that was a disgrace. We're being buried in litter -- cans, cups, you name it.

Mike DeSousa, Kings Park

This should give drivers paws for concern

Talk about distracted driving — where is the law banning driving with a dog in your lap? I’m not talking about a “lap dog,” either. I’ve seen people driving with medium-sized dogs sitting in the drivers' laps with their heads out the driver side window. It befuddles me how someone can drive with a dog in one’s lap, which not only obstructs one’s view but also impairs one’s ability to steer and operate other controls. Apparently, it is not prohibited, but it should be.

Charlie Lang, Huntington