Friday, October 24, 2008

Letter Writer Asks Opponents To Let Work Get Done

Spokesman-Review Letters to the editor
North-south road projects urgent

When I moved to Spokane almost 30 years ago there was a big debate going on over a north-south freeway. Some people fought it tooth and toenail, so the project was postponed – and postponed – and postponed, and with each postponement the cost went up until now the cost is astronomical. Now I think I see the same thing happening with the Bigelow Gulch project.

I have to drive that route several times a week, year-round, and I have seen the traffic getting heavier and heavier. Sooner or later the project is going to have to be done, and later it is going to cost far more than it would now, so those who are fighting it are only costing all of us, first of all for lawyers to defend the project and secondly for higher cost of construction.

Sure, it will probably help change the complexion of the community of Orchard Prairie, but that is going to happen anyway as the whole area around Spokane continues to grow, so come on, folks, get out of the way and let this needed work get done as soon as possible.

Claire Boulton
Spokane Valley


What do you think about the Bigelow Gulch expansion? Is it much-needed, or a good way to ruin a community?

2 comments:

Charles said...

I think they need to improve the Biglow Gulch road, it has needed to be streightened and widened for years. More people are moving to the valley and need a quick access to the north. Will it kill the community? If the county lets it it will, but the county can also restrict development along the road.

SRTC Staff said...

I've noticed there are also a lot of people moving pretty far up on the north side, who need to get to the valley. I drive Bigelow occasionally, and I believe something needs to be done. You can't get through there without someone tailgating you at 50 mph or even trying to pass at when there's absolutely no sight distance!


About SRTC

SRTC is the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Spokane County. Urbanized areas with populations exceeding 50,000 people are required to have an MPO. SRTC was formed to address the county's transportation planning needs. It provides coordination in planning between the public, cities, small towns, the county, the state, transit providers, and tribes.

SRTC offers services including transportation monitoring, transportation modeling, census information analysis, travel demand forecasting, historical traffic count analysis, geographic information systems, and trip generation rates.