For athletes, there is a mantra that provides encouragement as they endure the rigors of hard training in pursuit of better performance: “No pain, no gain.”
That mantra applies to situations outside of athletics, something worth remembering as the city of Starkville begins work on a $45 million project that will renovate and improve a one-mile section of Highway 182 between Old West Point Road and Long Street. Road lane closures and one-way traffic began Wednesday as Phase 1 of the project begins with work on the west side of the street. The entire project, divided into four phases, is expected to take two years to complete.
The “pain” this creates is magnified because Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary School sits smack in the middle of the project, creating the potential for traffic delays and back-ups for both regular traffic and parents taking their children back and forth from school.
There is no painless way to pursue a project of this size and scope. For those who regularly travel the route, adjustments will have to be made, not the least of which will be an adjustment of attitude.
It will greatly improve the aesthetics of the long neglected street, but the benefit is not purely cosmetic. City officials believe the enhancements will attract new businesses, bolstering one of the city’s biggest retail corridors.
That is the “gain” part of the equation.
For now, residents who regularly travel the route must endure the “pain” phase.
There is pain relief possible for this project, the most effective of which is making sure citizens are informed about the various stages of the project so they can plan accordingly.
Regrettably, that is something that did not happen when the Mississippi Department of Transportation began its repaving project on Highway 82 from the Macon/Highway 45 South interchange through Columbus this spring. The lack of information was a nightmare for many travelers along the route, often requiring them to backtrack for miles to pick up an alternate route.
The city and school district can do much to mitigate that unnecessary pain though communicating promptly, clearly and regularly with residents.
The other pain reliever can only be administered by those who use the route: patience and courtesy. The route will be congested and some motorists may become confused. There is simply no avoiding it, so it’s important for drivers to remember that everyone is in the same boat. Be kind. Be understanding. Slow down. Be aware. Don’t cut people off. Allow drivers to merge into traffic. Be a good neighbor.
And above all else, focus on the gain, not the pain.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 28 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 28 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
