I have the misfortune to commute over the Pawtucket River Bridge every day. I work two jobs, so my travels are at different times of the day and evening. While the Rhode Island State Police are doing a fine job at pulling over the trucks during peak times, I believe that their skills and resources are needed elsewhere and they do not need to fill the role of traffic cops — not to mention that truckers traveling this route probably catch on that there is less observation during the off hours, especially in the evening.

The condition of this bridge is not something that happened suddenly. It is the result of years of neglect by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. Therefore, the accountability to ensure the safety of the bridge should lie with RIDOT.

Either it find the money to fix the bridge (and not wait until summer to get it out to bid), or the money to pay for the overtime of the State Police or the Pawtucket police to monitor all the traffic at all times should come out of RIDOT’s budget until a permanent solution is under way. Either way, it is the transportation department’s responsibility and it should pay for its mistakes.

I realize that I could take advantage of the detour that is in place. If time permits, I do just that, but I don’t always have the luxury of indulging in the extra 10 minutes it sometimes takes.

My frustration is based on the principle of the matter. I did my part by paying taxes. Why should I be forced to be inconvenienced or ride in fear for my safety because of the incompetence of those charged with spending our money?

Unfortunately, in true Rhode Island form, it will take something very serious to happen before any type of action is taken. And, I can save the millions the state will spend on endless investigations, finger-pointing and a firing of some upper-level cronies: The bridge failed because the state failed to maintain it.

TRICIA BARBOZA

Pawtucket