BETWEEN THE LINES: TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME BECAUSE IT'S YOUR ONLY OPTION

I've been reading with great interest the news stories about strikes at General Motors and Trans World Airlines because they have occurred at precisely the time of year when people take summer vacations.

A little ironic, maybe? Actually, I find it just a little humorous -- probably because I've already taken my vacation and have no plans for a trip during the summer holidays.

With all these strikes, it seems that getting from point A to point B is more difficult regardless of your mode of transportation.

Planning a trip could be even more difficult if you drive a GM car or truck that might need parts or you had wanted to buy a newer model -- and it seems that many Americans do drive GM automobiles. But they're not the only ones fouling up vacation plans. If you're planning a flight on TWA, you should be prepared for delays and cancellations. And then there's road construction delays to contend with if you drive to your destination.

Now all the stories about people's disastrous vacations (and I have plenty to tell myself) won't be blamed on travel agencies but on pilots and plant workers instead.

Even in Cape Girardeau, driving through town isn't easy. Of course, that could be because with all the road construction and sewer improvements there isn't a single route left untouched.

I'm all for improvements and plans to make Cape Girardeau a better place to live, but things seem to be getting a little ridiculous. Nearly every major road -- or a segment of it -- has been closed to accommodate machinery and construction.

Even though I moved closer to my office, there hasn't been a single week that I could drive home and back without experiencing some construction detours.

I know that other people are upset with the immense number of road projects as well. I keep seeing their letters to the editor or Speak Out comments uttered in complaint.

Despite my understanding of how the city government works, I tend to agree that something needs to be completed soon. If there is not an apparent reason for closing the road, then don't.

The barricades along my street have been up for two months or more while machinery was parked nearby. Even though the machinery is now gone and has been for nearly three weeks, the barricades have remained. Even the potholes have been filled in with gravel.

Filling those potholes is the first real sign of progress I've seen lately. And if Cape Girardeau's drivers don't see some progress soon, there's likely to be a revolt.

~Laura Johnston is a copy editor for the Southeast Missourian.