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Trains have been passing through Sandpoint for a little over 100 years. Residents, for the most part, have accepted their presence as the norm. However, the norm has changed.

For the last four to five years, we've seen an increase in rail traffic. This is largely due to trains loaded with oil and coal destined for overseas markets.

Should the proposed second rail bridge across our lake be approved, we will see yet another significant increase of rail traffic. This will make the 50 to 60 trains a day currently passing through town seem like "the good old days." Many of the additional trains will be carrying more volatile oil and coal through our town and over our beautiful lake, which will increase the odds of a spill or a more tragic accident.

The plan to build additional track, three smaller bridges and the main bridge over our lake is estimated to take three years. This is a long disruption to our community. The pounding of pilings will be noisy with the sound carrying into town. This project will also be disruptive to the flow of traffic.

I feel a piece of the fabric of what makes Sandpoint special will go missing. In its place, we're likely to find an unwanted tomorrow that Sandpoint will be stuck with.

STEVE OKELBERRY

Sandpoint