County responds to letter

By Published by The Editorial Board

Published: May 13, 2008

In response to Ms. Chieffo’s letter concerning the Knowles Road paving
project, I would like to point out that Rockingham County is not
responsible for maintaining or paving roads. Any roadway activity in an
unincorporated area of the county which is part of the state-maintained
road system (as Knowles Road is) is under the control of the state of
North Carolina.

Decisions about identification of state roads, timelines for maintenance
or paving and repaving, and any other decision regarding a county road
is made, not by Rockingham County, but by the Highway Maintenance
Division of the N.C. Department of Transportation or by
municipalities in incorporated areas. Decisions for county roads are not
made locally, but are determined by staff at the regional and state levels.

This system is the result of General Statute 136-18 (7)
which states that the state will “assume full and exclusive
responsibility for the maintenance of all roads other than streets in
towns and cities, forming a part of the State highway system from date
of acquiring said roads.”

While we sympathize with Ms. Chieffo, Rockingham County does not have
the authority to rectify this situation. She may wish to contact the
N.C. Department of Transportation.

Thomas B. Robinson

Rockingham County manager