Debris on sides of I-15, I-84 create eyesore

Editor,

This past weekend, a friend and I traveled from Ogden to Layton, along I-15 and I-84. Since I was a passenger and not the driver, I paid particular attention to conditions on both sides of the highway.

I was appalled by the trash and debris along that well-traveled road. It was despicable! Plastic bags, you name it, any kind of debris imaginable, laying strewn along both sides of that highway.

I moved here from the midwest 25 years ago and was very aware of the orange trash bags that had accumulated along the highway, being thankful that Utah subscribed to and instituted the "Adopt a Highway" program, often carried out by the inmates of a local prison and other volunteers. We were a proud city then.

What happened to that program? Where is the Utah department of Transportation in all of this? We will have inmates and many people out of work, and volunteers who would be put to the task.

As I travel in surrounding western states, I am amazed at the condition of their highways. Utah does not live by the same standard, evidently. Are we so taken with improving Weber River and its parkway, and downtown Ogden, that there is no time, desire or effort left for the beautification of our highway? Flora and fauna would be desired, but are costly, cleanliness would take much effort, awareness and dedication.

Utah goes overboard to entice visitors in so many way, but I am ashamed to have my friends or relatives come to me over that road in its present condition. Soon the snow will fly and cover it all up. Is that what we want for Ogden and its surrounding areas.

Can I be the only Ogden resident who thinks this condition is deplorable? I don’t think so! Look around you, issue your complaint and maybe something will happen to make us proud of Ogden and our surroundings, once more.