The streets will be back soon

It seems like this year has been the “Year of the Detour” when driving around Thermopolis, with work being done to replace water transmission lines and the renovations happening outside Gottsche and the hospital. It seems like almost daily one’s route has to change to get to a destination, particularly on the south side of town.

A return to our regular routes is on the horizon, though, and even though delays happened — both early on and recently — with the water line project, adjustments were made to the timeframe and additional crews were brought in to help speed up the work. It’s now getting to the point where the giant holes are being filled in and roads are starting to look like they used to. Of course, you might still find yourself cursing that you have to turn around because those regular routes are so ingrained.

Outside our medical facilities the work is a bit more noticeable, particularly when giant cranes are bringing in awnings for a new entryway and the outline of a new parking area can be seen. The now one-lane road running by the building, of course, isn’t as fast as the regular street, but when the project started it was planned to be as minor an inconvenience to everyone as possible.

It’s important to keep in mind that, with the recent approval of the USDA loan for the upcoming hospital expansion and renovation, there’s likely to be quite a few more detours happening in that area, even as soon as late 2018.

But, as inconvenient as it is to find a different route or parking spot, it’s necessary for the work to get done. And it’s not as if these projects are being done with the intent of making our lives harder. Aging water lines need to be replaced. Buildings have to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities. Hospitals have to consider, and sometimes fight for, expansion and renovation if they are to grow.

So, while turning down a street on your route that’s suddenly a dead end or already occupied by a vehicle can definitely be frustrating, keep in mind our roads will be back to the way they were soon enough, and we can start re-learning those old, familiar routes.