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Maine proudly calls itself the Pine Tree State, but lately it seems we have become the “Overgrown Pine Tree State.” Along miles of state roads, highways and interstates, trees, brush, and tall grass have been allowed to grow mostly unchecked it seems, creating a serious safety hazard that should no longer be ignored.
This is far more than an aesthetic problem. Overgrown vegetation can block sight lines at intersections, highway entrance ramps, and merging lanes, forcing drivers to make dangerous split-second decisions. On local roads and highways, it narrows the usable shoulder, pushing pedestrians and bicyclists farther into traffic lanes and increasing the risk of serious accidents. It can also reduce motorists’ ability to see deer and other wildlife before they enter the roadway, leaving little time to avoid potentially deadly collisions.
Taxpayers expect their roads to be maintained, not simply paved. Roadside mowing and brush removal are essential parts of highway maintenance because they improve visibility, reduce hazards, and protect lives. Allowing vegetation to overtake our roads is a failure of basic stewardship and public safety.
Maine’s natural beauty should be something we celebrate, not something that compromises the safety of those who travel our roads every day. I urge city and state leaders, along with the Maine Department of Transportation, to make roadside maintenance a priority before a preventable tragedy forces action.
It’s time to stop making excuses and start cutting back the overgrowth. Maine’s drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and visitors deserve roads that are safe, well maintained, and worthy of the state we proudly call home.
Rod Hathaway
Veazie