Polson traffic study bypass is best option
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Editor,
I attended the Polson library meeting Sept. 9 where Jeff Key of CDM in Helena explained their study of our growing through traffic problems here in Polson. The study is split into two categories: local commerce and our parking issues, and the sensitivities due toward the Tribal, and surrounding agricultural ownership as it relates to a bypass route. The “bypass route” being separate from “the inter Polson city ‘corridor plan.’”
As these two aspects relate to our real Polson needs of relief from the often times choking traffic congestion, CDM should drop the notion that we need their help with our parking issues and any similar-type issues mentioned in “the corridor plan.” These issues should be dealt with by the elected Polson City Council.
CDM should also realize that the least amount of infrastructure, and the truest arrow shot of the north-south traffic flow would be the Hwy. 93 connections to an alternate route near the KOA campgrounds north of Polson, and on the south, a tie in to Hwy. 93 near the Moiese/Bison Range entrance at Hwy. 200, then curve east to connect at Ravalli to Hwy. 93.
Any other plan is nothing more than a study in wasted motion and misspent dollars. This means a new bridge across the lower Flathead River somewhere above or below Kerr Dam, and a north – south highway route somewhat paralleling the lower Flathead River and going across mostly undeveloped, and less costly lands.
This approach would alienate most of the towns' merchants of the old route, but it’s what’s being done in interstate highway travel and traffic design all across the U.S.A. Travelers wanting services easily find their needs met via the on and off ramps, cued by placards listing various services.
As for the tribal concerns, they need only look at other neighboring states' tribal money-making ventures to see the wisdom of being proactive and on board with this approach.
Once in place, this routing would also solve the smoldering issue of the heavy truck traffics habitual insistence of using the grossly inadequate east shoreline of Flathead Lake’s Hwy. 35 scenic byway.
Will Elliott
Polson
