To the editor:

Recent events on the Washington Bridge inform us that the R.I. Department of Transportation does know how to communicate. They just don’t wish to do it in Portsmouth and no one can force them. 

Most of us would like to ask them some questions about the proposed work on East Main Road. That certainly seems like a benign request. Peter Alviti said no. So be it. Perhaps they are afraid someone will ask some other embarrassing questions. 

For instance, why do our state bridges lack suicide prevention fences? The following nearby Massachusetts bridges have had them for almost 10 years: The Braga, The Sagamore, and the Bourne. What is so complex that we cannot get this job done?

Another state road sore thumb is Sprague Street. It certainly needs resurfacing but that is the least of the problem. Sprague Street is used by some Portsmouth High School to walk to and from school. For the most part there are no sidewalks. This means that students walk in the street to get to and from school. Half the time their back is to the oncoming traffic. It is interesting to note that Green Lane in Middletown just got new sidewalks and resurfacing for $1.5 million, according to the “on time on budget sign.” 

If Mr. Alviti favored us with his presence, we could ask him why the town, in the person of the Portsmouth Water and Fire District, is required to pay upwards of $400,000 for water pipe relocation and replacement in the roundabout area. I thought this was being done with federal money. This is a state road.

Philip Driscoll

169 Immokolee Drive

Portsmouth