We have been winter visitors in the Apache Junction and Gold Canyon area for 17 years. During that time we have seen a great increase in the traffic on U.S. Highway 60.

Also most years the traffic going east and west is clogged and stopped most weekends during the Arizona Renaissance Festival.

This year the Renaissance Festival traffic and the closure of one lane going west on a Sunday morning for part of the Lost Dutchman Marathon clogged and stopped the traffic on both sides of US60.

In the interest of both the auto traffic and the runners in the marathon, I think there could be some alternate route chosen off of the highway.

US60 is the only way to get in and out of several communities and to have three out of four lanes clogged or stopped at one time is not safe or sensible.

My suggestion to the planners of next year’s marathon is to please move it off US60.

Editor’s note: Nell Darlage lives in the Apache Junction and Gold Canyon area.