Studies, reviews show Sand Creek route unsafe

We appreciate Don Helander's due diligence in collecting information on the controversial Sand Creek highway and certainly respect his right to express his opinion (Bonner County Daily Bee guest opinion Nov. 14).

In response to his statement that there are no other viable alternatives:

One potential route the Idaho Transportation Department has not examined is a connection between First and Superior and Fifth and Pine. This route would serve east-west traffic as well as north-south traffic.

There are options for a low impact arterial between those two points that would not divide the south end of town from the north end, as some fear.

Regarding the bike path: Is it necessary to build a massive highway on the waterfront in order to get a bike path? Without the highway, the peninsula would offer unlimited possibilities for developing bike paths and a public park which would provide substantial aesthetic, recreational and economic value to the community.

Mr. Helander's assertion that opposition to the Sand Creek route is based on ITD's disaster record rather than its location, is only partially true. The route is a poor choice due to the loss of future economic benefits to the community provided by the waterfront.

There are also concerns about safety and potential disaster during construction of the highway on highly unstable soils. ITD has not produced an analysis or provided the public with information on the risk of failure.

Yes, ITD's poor track record heightens these concerns.

Two new technical reviews (commissioned by NICAN) of ITD's geotechnical and hydraulic reports discuss the risks associated with placing heavy walls on Sand creek soils and narrowing and shifting the creek channel with fill. You can access them at www.nican.info , or I would gladly provide copies.

When and if construction begins, even the most vigilant "watchdogs" will be unable to prevent disaster.

LIZ SEDLER

Executive director

NICAN