This past summer, I was informed by a neighbor that his family was shopping in Three Rivers to avoid traveling M-60 from Cassopolis to Niles due to the dangerous and deteriorating condition of the roadbed.

I have since heard other neighbors say they go to Elkhart to avoid M-60 to Niles. Cars are weaving to avoid a series of old patches and new potholes.

To some, when comparing roads it might appear that the dangerous condition of Niles to Cassopolis M-60 is not due to just a harsh winter and a lack of funds, but rather to extended neglect in the funding of this resurfacing project.

Patching of potholes does occur in a timely manner by the MDOT, but patching no longer works for this roadway.   The pitiful patch which was a partial lane resurfacing of a small portion of M-60 near Daly Road and M-60 was an embarrassing joke and insult to the people of Cassopolis and those who travel M-60.

After contacting Nick Schirripa of MDOT regarding the Niles to Cassopolis portion of M-60, I was informed that “there are no projects for this stretch of M-60 in our five-year plan.” He stated that several concerns have been shared with (MDOT) about the road, and that  (MDOT) “is re-evaluating  the five year program to  see if there is funding available to do some work on this stretch soon.”

I appreciate his prompt and courteous response, but I am concerned about the phrase “some work.”

It signals to me that Cass County citizens and businesses that travel M-60 absolutely must reinforce the importance of complete resurfacing of M-60 from Cassopolis to Niles. Nicholas Schirripa can be contacted through the MDOT website “Contact US” and Senator Proos can be contacted at SenJProos@senate.michigan.gov.

Tom Rose, Cassopolis