I got to thinking yesterday that politicians must get a lot of golden shovels, and then I got to thinking that they probably really need to keep a good supply for all the ---- they spread.
In all seriousness, yesterday was a monumental day in Sandpoint, Idaho's history. Locals who've waited an eternity, road-building officials, politicians ranging from county commissioners who can remember the decades' worth of red tape, and media gathered to ceremoniously begin construction of the Byway aka Bypass around Sandpoint.
The weather cooperated. No protesters showed up. Everyone seemed upbeat and thrilled that the day had finally arrived.
The Byway aka Bypass has been a controversial topic in Sandpoint for years. The concept is more than 50 years old. More than likely there will be plenty of grousing ahead, even from proponents was we endure four years of construction and occasional inconvenience.
The end-product, however, promises to open an "economic artery," as Gov. Butch Otter called it, which is so essential to intrastate, interstate and International commerce. In addition, it should alleviate the horrific traffic congestion we so often endure in downtown Sandpoint, making the downtown area a more user-friendly and safer place to shop and enjoy what the town has to offer.
The next significant date for locals will be the ribbon-cutting ceremony in four years to open the completed Byway, and we all hope to be alive that day and gather once more with big smiles on our faces.
1 comment:
Hate to say it, but it's more than 50 years since I first heard about the bypass...that would have been around the time I was starting junior high. Seemed like the major opposition then was 1st Avenue business. Seemed like it was a good idea then...and there were far fewer 18-wheelers. As a frequent visitor, I'm glad to see it finally started.
MJB
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