Tunnel plan offers something for all

I found Skip Pucci's recent guest opinion on placing the bypass underground most interesting. I have seen this sort of solution commonly used in Italy and Austria. Duluth, Minn., has done something vaguely similar in a successful attempt to preserve its waterfront.

Sandpoint is obviously polarized on the bypass. Skip may have hit on a compromise that could unite the community. Each side would have to give up something, but could contribute to the solution, ensuring that it solved the truck traffic problem while preserving some of the waterfront ambiance. Even the ITD gets something, ie: a chance to demonstrate that they can do a quality engineering project, partially redeeming the Mica Bay fiasco. On the other hand, the added delay might be unacceptable to the pro-bypass contingent while the destruction to Sand Creek might still be too devastating for the anti-bypass folks. And, perhaps, the required engineering exceeds the skill set of the ITD.

In any case, it would be great to see the Sandpoint mayor and City Council show leadership by thoroughly investigating the potential opportunity for compromise and reduced polarization in their community.

RICHARD SEVENICH

Spokane