Bureaucracy before public safety?

[TonyD]

A few weeks ago we had a wind/rain storm which did some tree damage. To my surprise, I found that after three weeks no one wants to take responsibilty to remove a potentially hazardous tree overhanging a roadway.



Here are some photos with my rantings

http://photos.dejoie.net/gallery/1177998

I'm curious if getting issues like this resolved are as difficult in the rest of the country, or is this just unique to PA?

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On a more humorous note... Hey Bob, I beat you to the pictures!:biggrin:

 

[nsxtasy]

Based on my experience in Illinois, there are several public and private entities who may be responsible for trimming the tree. If it is leaning against the power lines, the utility company is usually eager to come out and cut the limb ASAP. Otherwise, it may be the responsibility of a municipality or county, and within that governmental entity, it may be up to the streets department or the forestry department. You can also call the police department (municipal/county) as it is a threat to public safety; they won't be the ones to remove it, but they will know who is, and are usually willing to refer a complaint to the appropriate agency.

A few weeks ago, a large limb on a tree on my block was loosened by a storm, and was overhanging the street. I called my city's forestry department to report it, and a crew came and removed it two hours later!

 

[TonyD]

Actually, in this case, no one seems to want to take responsibility. The adjacent township said it was a state road and forwarded my concern to PennDOT. The electric company said they had no power lines there so it wasn't their responsibility. Verizon said they will fix their telephone wires if/when the pressure of the leaning tree causes damage, but won't perform any preventive measures.
Local police told me they tried Verizon who said 'no' and then informed Easton Parks whom I called next. Folks at Easton Parks stated it's not their tree and last heard that Wilson Twp and PennDOT were having discussions as to who should take care of it.

So I give up and will just drive a different route on stormy days until it falls to the road or gets cleaned up

 

[RSO 34]

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On a more humorous note... Hey Bob, I beat you to the pictures!:biggrin:

Yeah, but who do you think pushed the tree over.....:tongue:

 

[steveny]

About four months ago I was driving on a back road about 50 mph. I popped up over a knoll and continued right through an intersection at 50 MPH. The guy who was with me was white as a ghost and shaking with fear. He told me the road I crossed is a busy road with lots of tractor trailer traffic.
Later that day I called the township the intersection was in. I explained to them the seriosness of the incident and that someone should get a sign up there ASAP. About a week ago I passed the same intersection...no sign present yet.