Editor: The latest pitch by Roberts Bank Rail Corridor program manager Robin Johnston to 91原创 business leaders was focused on expected job spin-offs to the 91原创 area.
When questioned about possible alternatives to overpasses or the feasibility of an overpass at the 91原创 Bypass, he said it was considered to be too expensive. It鈥檚 not that it isn鈥檛 feasible and not that it isn鈥檛 the correct thing to do. No, it鈥檚 just too expensive.
By the way, too expensive to whom? If we accept compromises, as the 91原创 section of this project is proving to be, it will definitely be costly in time and frustration and I have no doubt that it will affect our local businesses.
I have been to several open house meetings, and when I approached Roberts Bank representatives, I too was told the same thing 鈥� there simply isn鈥檛 enough money in the budget to address 200 Street and the 91原创 Bypass. End of discussion as far as they were concerned.
Several recent letters to the editor suggest that, rather than spend considerable amounts of money on a Band-Aid solution, the 91原创 portion of the project should wait until the funds are available to do it right.
I believe a good example of a project that was compromised in 91原创 is the 200 Street interchange at Highway 1.The original plan called for a much greater use of overhead roadways and minimum use of flat crossings, but because of funding we ended up with flat crossings and the resulting bottlenecks.
I see the same thing happening on this project. This is simply wrong.
Bob Langston,
91原创
