ITD is responsible for Sandpoint's gridlock

For decades, we've been told that a bypass is right around the corner. It's time to realize that the long-proposed bypass is not going to happen. ITD itself is responsible for the current state of traffic flow frustration. With the bypass initially touted as the most fiscally affordable route, it was sold as the only way to proceed.

The bypass lacked a true vision of future needs and never fully addressed east-west traffic, emergency routes with an accident on the Long Bridge, nor the question of funneling all this traffic on U.S. 95 without looking at possible development along the parallel state Highway 41.

After years of assured starting dates, ITD has yet to purchase land from the railroad and needs to work through myriad issues with the Army Corps of Engineers — among other things.

These issues have yet to be resolved by ITD and, given experience, at least one of them will probably present further difficulties and delays. ITD has become the bottleneck affecting all traffic. Imagine the actual cost now if they got started sometime in the next three years.

Let's take back control of our roads that go through town. Immediate flow solutions can be implemented now without the adversarial role that exists from ITD today.

The next thing you know, ITD will be discussing the removal of all parking of First Avenue and Cedar to show us what they can do. We need action today.

BARNEY BALLARD

Sandpoint