New shoulders, new roads

In Canada we joke that we have two seasons: winter and construction.

From when the snow melts in spring until it builds up in mounds again the following winter, barriers and pylons obstruct streets and roads.

Three large road construction vehicles line up behind a orange barrier. A sign on the barrier reads, "Danger due to construction."
Danger due to construction

This summer my home lay at the heart of a vortex of road improvements. Crews tore up ditches in one direction to make room for bicycle lanes. Workers in another direction stripped old asphalt, shored up the shoulders with thick gravel, and laid down a fresh layer of pavement.

View up the hill of a country road with new gravel shoulders and fresh pavement. Construction pylons frame the road at the top of the hill.

While construction was underway, the posted signs read, “Danger due to construction.” Now I walk along this road, with its strong shoulders and new pavement—construction danger in the past.

The unblemished brightness of it symbolizes to me the fresh start of autumn. As road construction slows down in our northern climate, we begin different kinds of construction. New school projects, new organizational meetings, new roads to new adventures.

I wonder what I’ll build this winter? What dangers will I face? I can’t wait to find out.

What are you constructing these days?

5 thoughts on “New shoulders, new roads”

  1. marianbeaman's avatarmarianbeaman

    On my way to a local writers’ group about 12 miles away shoulders have been closed due to laying new pipes. This has gone on for over a year with lanes closed. Now only the “shoulders” have been closed, so no lane changing for me, which I hate.

    Using this image to mark the change of seasons is interesting: strong shoulders and new pavement are usually a good thing–unless they obstruct our passage.

    Thanks, Arlene! 😀

  3. Ally Bean's avatarAlly Bean

    What are you constructing these days? I’m constructing space in our house. I’m into decluttering right now. As autumn begins, like the leaves on the trees, I’m getting rid of that which doesn’t suit me right now.

    1. Arlene Somerton Smith's avatarArlene Somerton Smith Post author

      Decluttering is one of my favourite things to do. Rooms, closets, cupboards feel so much better after.
      Right now I’m constructing a new garden in my backyard and a new short story! Hard to say which is more exhausting.

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