LETTERS: HIGHWAY 177 DETOUR IS A COUNTY ROAD

To the editor:

I feel compelled to write to you in response to the "Detour slowpokes" Speak Out comment. The caller was complaining of the slow drivers on County Road 635, the detour for the flooded Highway 177.

The first reason for the slow drivers is the road itself. It is a county road. It is not a state highway. It is not an interstate. The road has been there for many, many years. The road simply was not constructed to handle either the volume of traffic it now must bear, nor the speeds which people would like to drive it.

The second reason is the posted speed limit for that road is 35 miles per hour. Those signs are posted at the south end at Cape Rock Drive and also at the north end by County Road 634.

The third reason for the slow drivers is this is our home. We live out here. Farmers out here drive the roads to and from their fields. Our children play in our front yards. Our elderly residents drive these roads. I can imagine what your reaction would be if we suddenly began driving fast in front of your home.

The fourth reason is we also drive the road often enough to be scared to death of it. Too many people try to drive it as though they were on Highway 177. They top hills going way to fast and in the middle of a narrow, two-lane road. If we are driving slow on the road, forgive us. We are scared of drivers who race up and down the road.

If there is blame to be placed for the inconvenience, please complain to the state. Our state representative is Mary Kasten, and her phone number is 314-751-2459. Highway 177 should have been raised high enough to avoid being flooded years ago. Unfortunately, it has not. In the meantime, on behalf of those of us who live out here, please complain to Rep. Kasten, and please, please slow down.

THE REV. MARK MARTIN, Pastor

Trinity Lutheran Church

Egypt Mills

pasmartinmd@crf.cuis.edu