Wooden Stakes all over

Anyone know what they're for? Are they markers for the snow plows in case they can't tell where the curbs are? They're orange & blue marked & seem to be at all the intersections throughout Broadlands.

 

Yep ... they're to make sure the snowplows don't tear up the curbs.



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

hahah well they hit a few on the last snow.

 

So a the color of the gas station is an issue, but ugly florescent wooden stakes to help dumb plow drivers are OK?

Pam D.

 

The wooden stakes are temporary and the gas station color is permanent, which by the way I don't have a problem with. How do you know plow drivers are dumb?

 

I'd like to see you continuously find the curb in an entire neighborhood under 6" of snow without any help. Geez, get over it...if they weren't there, you'd be complaining about busted up curbs and how long do you think it'd take to fix those? Certainly longer than it takes to remove a wooden stake when snow season lets up.

 

With no disrespect intended, the person who started this chain (and those that complain about the stakes) have obviously never lived in a northern climate where such stakes are common during winter months, not only on neighborhood streets but on major highways as well.

With some of the snow storms we have had over the last couple of years here, it's better to have these stakes in place than to not have any guide. No stakes means one of two things: (1) roads plowed too narrowly for two lanes because the plows fear hitting the curbs, or (2) damaged curbs which, as someone else said, is a much bigger deal to fix than the ugly stakes are to remove when winter is definitively over.

 

I was actually making cheap shot at the gas station color issue, more than criticizing the stakes. My sarcasm didn't come through. Even though I think they are ugly--it's not really a big deal, esp. as long as the other construction messes linger. I think I will stay out of further discussions of neighborhood aesthetics. [8D]

Although I hate to encourage the somewhat hostile atmosphere of this board by being defensive, I'll point out that I grew up in Colorado, which gets considerably more snow than Virginia (though not as much as the NE), and our plow drivers seemed quite capable of finding corners of the streets without markers.

I will also admit to guilt in judging the plow drivers who don't get a lot of practice, have to deal with rather narrow streets, and are probably under a lot of pressure from developers and annoying home owners like myself to not mess up the curbs. My hasty comment was unfair.

 

I started the thread because I really didn't know what they were for. And no I've never lived in a northern climate as if it should matter. I had a legitimate question and it was answered.

 

yeah... it's not like you were complaining or anything..

anyways... i wonder if we're done for the year or if we have one good storm left... 2 years ago on 2/17 we had that huge dumping of snow... I loved it! =)

 

USDA says we're freeze proof by 14 May (or thereabouts)

 

I agree with you Steve. I remember twice in the 1990s (1993 for sure, and another later one), we had significant snowfall just as March Madness was getting underway!

 

Can I only hope? I have some time off in a couple weeks, and would love a day skiing in PA...

Pam D.

 

When the snow was finally gone, it was interesting to see what was buried in the piles of snow left by the snow plows. I think the stakes were put out a little late this year.

At Broadlands Blvd and Old Wood Way we had an errant "one way" sign, complete with post, left behind after the thaw. It has since disappeared - possibly re-established in its home.

And last week road crews were out re-installing the lines on the "closed" right and left lanes at the Broadlands Blvd/Claiborne Pkwy 4-way stop.

Not to mention the few oddities that show up: a shoe, cardboard boxes. I wonder if there's been a study of snow piles - I wouldnt' be surprised...

Dawne

 

I certianly hope not. I can think of a thousand other things to better spend money on than 'Things Found In A Snow Pile'...although studies even more worthless *have* been funded before.