Let's just get going on current byway proposal

Even in our democracy when the majority vote ought to prevail, groups have chosen to subvert the byway project. The ITD has done many (too many?) surveys and given many options of routes and modes to have traffic bypass downtown Sandpoint. The majority of the public fully felt the current proposed route is the place to build. I have yet to meet anyone on the street who opposes the byway.

Opposition by these groups has caused significant delays and added millions (our tax dollars) to the projected costs. Sedler's (scientific facts?) admonition a couple of weeks was "something awful" would happen, last week a "disaster" and now dredging and fill is "going to fill the whole thing (Sand Creek)." Filling some of the "beautiful" mud flats would be an improvement. The mud flats are a result of normal river erosion. Sand Creek has been building a delta at its mouth for years. Don't believe it? Fly over it, seeing is believing; just like New Orleans, smaller scale.

Tunnel, absurd. Ted Kennedy's Boston "Big Dig" was (is) billions in overruns, the finished tunnel's roof fell on a lady, killing her. Yeah, real safe, Steve "The Tunnel" Potter.

It's time the silent majority became vocal. Businesses which oppose the byway (they hide behind the front groups) ought to be boycotted and put out of their misery. A poorly-run business needs to shape up or give up. I have yet to see an 18-wheeler parked on First Avenue so the driver could run in and buy some trinket.

Let's just get on with the current project.

PETER D. HERAPER

Sandpoint