Gary Stroud: Time to clean up Modesto’s south entrance

I read and saw a picture of our mayor standing in front of the capstone for the new overpass that matches those of the Modesto Arch; it will and does look great as one of the main entrances into Modesto. Now I would like to see our mayor stand, looking proud, in front of the Mitchell Avenue Bridge divider wall on the entrance to the Modesto Airport and a south entrance into Modesto.

I just finished a trip on I-5 from Modesto to Portland, Ore., and never once saw a divider with a metal scrum on top – let alone one falling apart, missing parts and covered with graffiti. This is the same bridge I called the city about two years ago and was told they were waiting for a grant. Get real, you aren’t going to get it.

Block off one lane, use city workers, a dump truck, a cutting torch and cut the ugly thing off the top and recycle the metal for cash. Use the city staff to paint over the graffiti. This can be accomplished in two days. Then the south entrance will look much better, as it should, and everyone will be happy.

This story was originally published August 14, 2015 at 10:47 AM with the headline "Gary Stroud: Time to clean up Modesto’s south entrance."