Tunnel answers need for long-term traffic solution

In 1990, Seattle Metro Transit opened a bus tunnel that runs for miles, under Third Avenue, from Pike Street to South Jackson. It closed in 2005 for a two year retrofit to enable a newer, light rail route to be added to the tunnel, and will open again soon.

The I-90 bridge at Mercer Island became a tunnel so a huge park could be placed above it, thus hiding the multi-lane freeway.

This week, Russia and the U.S. announced plans to build a 64 mile long tunnel from Siberia under the Bering Strait. This tunnel will be a huge business venture, transporting natural gas, oil and electricity, as well as creating a rail transportation corridor.

The Seattle tunnel was built right underneath a vibrant downtown, and continues to work. The scale of the Siberia tunnel project is mind boggling.

In light of these realities, is it that difficult to imagine that we could have a successful tunnel project in Sandpoint? A tunnel that solves traffic flow issues, is a tourist attraction in itself instead of an eye- and ear-sore, and most importantly, is designed with current and future flow patterns realistically considered?

The issues of right of way and imminent domain can be solved. Tunnel construction is a reality. A tunnel here is possible.

The current bypass design considers head-on collisions "acceptable." It is appropriate that some citizens are asking for a better, realistic long-term solution.

MARK WATSON

Sandpoint