A tunnel or an on-grade by-way for Sandpoint

I read with interest the article in Sunday's paper regarding a tunnel option to the byway. I spent the last 35-plus years in heavy construction as an engineer, superintendent project manager, and then owner of construction company involved in many similar projects.

Many of the projects were cut and cover reinforced concrete structures for either rapid transit systems, water transmission or stormwater/sanitary sewer projects. In addition, I was involved with both soft-ground and hard-ground tunnels. Based on my experience, I would estimate that in today's dollars, a tunnel project as proposed would be in the order of magnitude of 10 times the cost suggested. It also would be very disruptive to the city in the short run as well as long run due to settlement problems and right-of-way acquisition.

It would take years to design, acquire the rights-of-way and try to fund such a project. It would cut a swath through Sandpoint that would take years to heal. In general, the proposal is just downright silly. It seems just another poorly thought out way by people who do not know what they are talking about to throw another roadblock in front of the byway. Let's just get on with it. This discussion has been going on for 50 years or so that I know of.

JAMES R. THOMPSON, PE

Wrenco