Waldrup's claim doesn't achieve good mileage

Jon Waldrup’s Thursday editorial regarding gas prices and the byway makes little or no sense. Is he saying that since gas prices are at an all time high we stop all highway construction or just the projects he doesn’t like? If Jon thinks current fuel prices are counter productive to a good economy just wait and see what happens if the trucks bow out of the picture. Trucks get much better mileage at 50 mph on an open road then at 5 mph going through Sandpoint.

Many of the trucks that use 95 are from Canada, and Canada has always had high gas prices. Why so many trucks from Canada, it’s called “commerce.” Canada has to export to maintain its current standard of living, so it dumps excess product into the U.S. or other markets.

If NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) survives congressional scrutiny and it probably will, truck traffic will increase in the U.S. According to the Automobile Association of America, with the exception of railway transport, trucking is still the least expensive way to ship in the continental United States.

Out of the way markets depend on the 18 wheeler. Railway delivery is not an option everywhere, and even if shipped railway, the flat bed or box car doesn’t pull up in front of the local merchant and drop off the product. It is brought by truck.

If Mr. Waldrup doesn’t like the idea of the bypass he should just say so. Many who are against the project just admit it. They don’t insult our intelligence by trying to convince us that trucks are a thing of the past.

BILL LITSINGER

Sagle