Traffic, not bypass, hurting Sandpoint

I read with interest page 5 of the August 7 Daily Bee. The list of business that oppose the bypass because most of those listed would not be affected with a loss of business from other towns — attorneys, real estate, insurance, architects and others.

Yes, it will change the skyline of Sandpoint and will be a mess during construction however what are you going to do with all of the traffic that is bound to increase as we have seen it over the past years?

As I drive through Sandpoint, I am appalled with the truck traffic, RVs, and others "just in a hurry" as they cut in front of us because traffic is moving so slow. We have a business at 3 Mile in Bonners Ferry and I know that all of the truck traffic that we see is going through here is also going through Sandpoint. Ninety percent of the time I'm on my through Sandpoint and it is always at least a half hour extra added to my drive to Coeur d'Alene or Spokane. A bypass would maybe take five minutes if there were stop lights.

I say get rid of the extra traffic and make a more leisurely shopping experience for those who wish to do so. Sandpoint as a tourist town that will grow as the years go by because of the year around tourist attractions and even encourage shoppers to stop because they can find a parking spot which at present is impossible. Please support the Sandpoint Bypass

CAROLEE MADSON

Bonners Ferry