Road condition is a Grim story

There is a very well-known shortcut in Antioch Township that conveniently allows vehicle operators to bypass traffic congestion at the Rts. 173/83 intersection in Antioch. It is an Antioch Township/Lake County jurisdictional stretch of roadway known as Grim Road.

Poorly maintained or engineered roadways are not a surprise to anyone who traverses the roads of Lake County. I do what I can to avoid certain areas such as the “Milburn Strangler” during peak driving times. Traffic congestion is not the issue with Grim.

Today, I happened upon a couple of township employees as they were diligently attempting to fill in potholes and crevices with shovels by hand along this 365-days-a-year “washboard” that seems to ingest hubcaps and “rattle the shocks” as if they were the pinballs in the machine excitedly traumatized by the action of the flippers.

I asked one of the workers why a more common-sensible, effective measure of repair wasn’t an option. In a polite manner, he suggested that I should use the two “good” roads instead.

As a resident of over 30 years I’m more than familiar with my other choices. While I didn’t need a “mapquest” suggestion from him, my point is that Grim offers a gas-saving alternative to my destination in addition to avoiding other traffic issues.

When will the principals responsible finally invoke the intelligent choice of a complete road regrading and resurfacing? My tires would like to know.

John Hartl

Antioch Township