VDOT and grass (Richmond, Fairfax: landscaping, neighborhood, subdivision)

[cdmurphy]

I know some of you on this forum just *love* the way VDOT maintains roadside grass. Well, this summer it takes a turn for the worse. But as this editorial points out, don't blame VDOT... blame Richmond.

Lost in the weeds (Loudoun Times-Mirror editorial)

Last month, just after the department’s annual mowing budget was slashed from $42 million to $22 million, VDOT implemented a formal grass-cutting program as part of its Adopt-A-Highway initiative to clean up trash. In a nutshell, it’s looking for a few thousand civic-minded Virginians with reliable mowers, a bottle of SPF 50 sunscreen and a wide-brim hat.
...
Apparently, interstates and busy secondary roads will be off-limits to the volunteer mowers due to high accident potential. VDOT will continue to mow along arteries like Route 7—just not as often. Along lower-volume primary and secondary routes, the grass likely will see a VDOT mower no more than twice this summer. Grass along unpaved routes and subdivision streets will be lucky to see a lawnmower between now and Labor Day.

Translation? If you want to take a safe left turn out of your neighborhood, mow the grass yourself.

[car54]

It got so bad in Fairfax County that the Sheriff's Office has gone into the landscaping business. The Deputy sits in the big black pick-up truck with shotgun at the ready, while the inmates mow.

Reportedly, motorists looking to get their yards mowed often pull up and ask the inmates for their cards! LOL