Fulton Street, the Grand Rapids segment of M-21, was once a major thorough fare. But not any more. If you drive down that road, you will get a red light at every intersection.

At first, I thought it was just my timing that caused me to hit every light red. But, the more that I drove down the road, the more I came to realize what was happening. The State had set the traffic light timing to impede the flow of traffic down this road.

Now, I understand that the State wants people to use the I-196 business loop instead of M-21. Unfortunately, the I-196 business loop is closed for reconstruction. So, motorists are forced to find alternate routes.

So, as it stands right now, the State is using State tax dollars to maintain a State road that the tax payers of the State are being discouraged from using.

I guess, if the State doesn’t want the tax payers of the State to use a State road funded by the tax payers of the State, then maybe the State should turn the road over to the city of Grand Rapids. Oh wait, the city doesn’t want the road either because they can’t afford to maintain it. Well, how about if the State just closes Fulton all together and turn it into to a big mall with community gardens.