Letter writer: Roadside tribute on Interstate 240 is tragic in several ways

Posted on by Letters
Graphic by Lori Deaton

If there was a memorial for every traffic fatality on our nation’s highways, there wouldn’t be room for traffic signs; not to mention, to enshrine a spot on a roadside shoulder where someone died reduces a life to its final, awful moments.

The new one on Interstate 240 east is tragic in several ways. First and foremost, a young woman’s life was lost. Second, the assumption is that this has been created for drivers to look at, so on a busy road with merging lanes, a distraction has been created that could lead to more casualties.

The city and state have spent time and money creating a beautiful approach to Asheville that is marred by the defacing of the rock cliff. I cannot believe anyone would want to be remembered in this manner. There is an appropriate place for an outpouring of grief and a laying of tributes — it is the graveside service at a cemetery and not beside public roads.

— Steve Woolum
Asheville

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Letters
We want to hear from you! Send your letters and commentary to letters@mountainx.com
View all posts by Letters →

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

One thought on “Letter writer: Roadside tribute on Interstate 240 is tragic in several ways”

  1. HearHear

    Yes, it is rather tacky… and needs to be removed before the new school year.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.