Let's get going on regional, workable plan

Ray Miller should be applauded for bringing the "bypass" issue to the fore as we approach the November election. All of the letters in support of the bypass occur when frustration reaches such a high level due to the gridlock perceived with traffic.

From my layman's perspective it appears that ITD intentionally creates that frustration, scheduling road repairs at the height of the tourist and traffic season. The latest case in point would be the work on the Long Bridge that coincided with the Festival at Sandpoint. Add to that the complete lack of response from ITD on the request from the city of Sandpoint to paint some new stripes on the funnel on Fifth Avenue at the chamber and of course you get people calling for a $120 million piece of asphalt and cement on Sand Creek.

The only problem is that it represents total lack of adequate traffic planning and little vision into future needs, especially given the growth of the last two years. The point of getting the trucks out of town does not even hold water since a high proportion of those are locals who will be using in-town arterials to conduct business.

Rock and gravel hauled from a site near Dover out to the Idaho Club or the Silverwing development at the airport will not be looking to take a bypass route. Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work on a regional concept that includes Sagle, Ponderay, Kootenai and Dover.

BARNEY BALLARD

Sandpoint