One has to wonder whether some of the recent Lawrence street improvement projects might have been completed more quickly if a city official owned a business or home along the affected route.

Perhaps every effort is made to finish all city street and sewer projects as quickly as possible and to minimize any disruption for those living along the street or operating businesses there.

However, too often, it seems these projects stretch far beyond their estimated completion date. They are started with the announcement they will be completed within a relatively short time, and businesses and homeowners frequently are told the job will be done quickly. But for one reason or another, work does not progress as fast as many think it should. In other cities in other states, it is not uncommon to see construction crews working at night and on weekends, but this seldom seems to happen in Lawrence.

Time and time again, local businesses suffer major losses due to torn up streets, ditches for new water or sewer lines or other major construction projects. These businesses are losing dollars — many dollars — every day, but apparently they are just supposed to grin and bear it.

This is why many ask why the crews cannot work at night and take advantage of good weather conditions. Granted, costs would be greater, but construction time would be reduced substantially and merchants and property owners would not be affected in such a long and costly manner.

Who knows? It might be that paying more to get the job done more quickly might end up saving money if weather delays, material delays or other factors caused a project to be extended far past the original completion date.

Again, if a city official owned property along a disrupted area, or if he or she owned a business that suffered severe monetary losses due to the prolonged project, maybe the work could be finished far more quickly.