Tag Archives | local miscellany

Like many folks in Valatie and points southbound on route 9, I take 90 west to get to work in Latham. Near the exit 12 on-ramp for 90, someone has mowed a big heart into the grass. I like to think it was a DOT worker doing it for his or her partner as a sweet gesture. The TimesUnion section, Getting There, answered the question today:

Q: I frequently travel back home to the Capital District from points south via Route 9 and Interstate 90 west. Over the last many, many years, I’ve noticed the shape of a heart mowed into the hillside where the ramp from Route 9 north meets I-90 west in the Exit 12 area.

It always makes me smile that someone on a large mower presumably seeks to brighten either the mower’s day, or motorists’ day, (or both) by the simple gesture. I don’t know who has been doing it but I have noticed and always wanted to say “thank you.” If you can find out who’s responsible, please pass along my sentiment.

— Susan Cortesi, Latham

A: We rarely get questions around here that can be deemed cute, but this one sure qualifies.

It seems that the state Department of Transportation maintenance crew has been creating the design on its own whim.

“Unbeknownst to even the supervisors, our maintenance crew has been mowing this heart into the grass at the Interstate 90 ramp near Exit 12,” said state Department of Transportation spokeswoman Carol Breen. “The reader’s kind words have been passed along, and we hope this simple, free gesture has brightened other motorists’ days as well.”

It’s been there since at least 2008, when we moved into the area. I hope it stays – it’s cute.