A proud path not taken

Several walkways crisscrossing North Carolina's historic Capitol grounds in downtown Raleigh are getting a much-deserved sprucing-up.

A $600,000 project beginning this month will replace broken walkways on the Capitol's east side, which is the public entrance. A wheelchair ramp will be improved there, too.

On the Capitol square's northeast corner, a gently sloping ramp will replace stairs, improving pedestrian access to the historic 1840 landmark.

And on the south side, facing newly restored Fayetteville Street, a wheelchair ramp will be widened and another will be built.

It seems a worthy effort to improve pedestrian safety and public accessibility to our Capitol.

One thing about the project disappoints, though: The federal government is picking up 80 percent of the tab to fix our walkways.

"The federal funds are transportation-enhancement funds," explained Deanna Kerrigan, the Capitol's site administrator. "There is no restriction on the funds, except that they have to be for the public benefit."

Among the intended purposes of the federal program are improving pedestrian safety and promoting historic preservation -- both of which apply here.

Still, I wonder: If the project is important enough to do, can't we pay for it ourselves? It would cost less than a dime a Tar Heel.

Yes, the federal government spreads tax money all over the land. And this beats a bridge to nowhere.

But where's our Carolina pride?

I think we should tell the Congress thanks, but no thanks, and send the money back to Washington -- and federal taxpayers.

It's our Capitol. Let's pay for it.