Ditch dilemma at the north end

ditch

The water from Tropical Storm Debby and before that fills the ditches that line the road has turned stagnant ... and slimey ... and stinky.

Island resident Jane Caple has certainly noticed the problem.

“The water is sludgy and it looks terrible,” said Caple. “It’s very smelly, as well.”

After a long wait, Lee County Department of Transportation workers came out last month to clear the muck from the ditches. The muck was being taken to a site owned by the county on Wheeler Road.

However, concerns expressed by residents on that road led to the project being put on hold for a few days. Residents complained about a strong smell, dust and trucks speeding on the road. One resident even jumped in front of the trucks more than once and yelled at the drivers for speeding.

Authorities went out to the site to check things out, but couldn’t detect any odor, fast-moving trucks or dust.

Be that as it may, by the time everyone’s concerns were addressed and work could begin again, Tropical Storm Debby was on her way.

According to Gary Flusar with Lee County DOT, work should restart in late October, before season begins.

“We only have a couple of days work left to do,” he said. “Once we can get back in there, it should be a quick process.”

Until then, the smell will linger, and Lee County Mosquito Control District will keep an eye on the ditches for signs of mosquito activity.

The ditches were last cleaned in 1999.