We've written a lot about potholes in Tacoma. What about Pierce County?

The county uses a rating system similar to the one Tacoma employs. Road superintendent Paul Marsh said each of the roughly 3,100 lane miles are rated every other year based on cracks, other deficiencies and ride quality.

A rating of 70 is the tipping point of treatment.

“We’re careful not to let our (roads) slip past 70, because it’s like letting your house siding get past the point where paint won’t help – then it lets in water and the wood will rot,” he said.

The county spends about $23 million each year on road maintenance. It staggers improvements so it’s suddenly not hit with a scenario in which every road deteriorates at the same rate and needs work at the same time.

“There’s a rotational effect where a certain percentage will always be in the fair category, some will be in the new, and a very small percentage of Pierce County stays in the lower areas,” he said. “Those are primarily like alleys, which will never be upgraded to a paved surface.”

Twelve neighborhood groups are staging an anti-crime march on Friday evening.

“The march has dual purposes: to send a message to criminals that residents are working together to eliminate illegal activity like drug dealing and prostitution, and to enhance people’s awareness of crime in both their own neighborhoods and the broader community,” said Safe Streets’ Moni Hoy.

Things should start about 5:30 p.m. and last about two hours.

All materials will be supplied by Safe Streets. Anyone is welcome to join.

Click below to see if there’s a march near you. Or if you’re anti-Google Maps, click on the link after the map to see a list and participating groups.

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This morning I'm going to talk to a piece of living history in Tacoma: Junior Ferrell, Ferrell, the 89-year-old shoeshine man at the Hotel Murano.