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Life is a Highway

Dear People Who Improve the Roads,

Now that most (maybe all?) of that work in Route 29 is done, I wanted to thank you for how gorgeous it is. Driving through that section after I get off 32 on my way home from work brings a kind of delicious little thrill. So smooth, so open and well, functional! All that waiting was worth it.

You folks do good work. You're out in all kinds of weather and no one is ever happy to see you. The work is hard physical labor and you don't get positive feedback from end-users, I'm guessing. Just complaints.

"How long is this going to take?"

 "Will they ever finish?"

I may not know who you are in real life, but I think of you every time I drive that stretch of road. Somehow I don't think that the community is going to hold one of those nice little wine and cheese receptions for you and show a lovely slide presentation of the highlights of the project. No testimonials from local officials on your dedication and expertise. No article in the newspaper about how your contributions to the community are improving our quality of life.

Why is that?

I would think that every person who worked on this years-long project would like to feel some closure, some sense of appreciation for their work. I wonder if the Maryland State Highway Administration has any way to celebrate completion. You can't exactly stage a ribbon-cutting on a highway. At least, it doesn't sound like a practical proposition.

Anyway, please spread the word around that I'm grateful for what you have done. I'll bet that lots of other folks are, too.

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