Warning! On the section of Middle Road in Chilmark that was recently resurfaced (several miles before Beetlebung Corner), there are now steep dropoffs on each side of the road with no shoulders to prevent dangerous falls by walkers, runners and bikers.

I myself was walking on the side of Middle Road yesterday, and while attempting to cross the road, tripped over a six-inch roadside ledge, fell flat and was narrowly missed by an oncoming car. Not only did I badly injure my knee, hip and hand, today I saw a male biker fall off the side of the road and land head-first onto a brick wall. His glasses were broken, he had a large swelling on his forehead and required help.

Apparently, as a cost-saving measure, the old Middle Road surface was not lowered or removed before this resurfacing which has now produced the six to eight-inch roadside drop-offs in some places. As with many economies, this one could backfire if Chilmark is sued for major injuries and potentially a death involving costly settlements. More importantly, immediate action should be taken to correct this serious problem before more people are hurt.

I am not alone in raising this concern; others who use Middle Road feel the same. Furthermore, the annual Chilmark Road Race scheduled for this August will involve thousands of unsuspecting runners on Middle Road who will inevitably spill off the road and risk injury.

Diana T. Murray
Chilmark