[Vision2020] How much more bad karma must bridge bring?

[Moscow Cares]

Courtesy of today’s (July 24, 2018) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

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Our View: How much more bad karma must bridge bring?

By Murf Raquet, for the editorial board

Omens are an integral part of human culture.

Omens aren't just relegated to the distant past; they are a part of day-to-day existence for many on the Palouse and elsewhere.

And so it is with the proposed Third Street bridge - one of the more contentious projects undertaken in Moscow in some time.

Currently, East Third Street splits downtown and passes City Hall, the high school, the 1912 Center, East City Park, an elementary school and myriad residences before it ends at Mountain View Road.

The problem, as some see it, is Paradise Creek bisects Third Street yards from Mountain View.

As Moscow's east side has grown, so has the discussion of a pedestrian/bicycle bridge to span the creek to increase the city's connectivity.

A few years ago, that bridge looked like it could be a reality as public support increased for the project.

Then, whammo presto out-of-left-field, the simple bridge project became one to handle motorized traffic. Wait, what?

To say the move caused a great deal of consternation for the city's constituency is an understatement. A petition against a vehicular bridge garnered hundreds of signatures, public discussions were held, letters to the editor written, editorials decried the plan and other "omens" found their way to City Hall.

Clearly not a popular option.

It appears the final straw may have been reached. The lowest bid to build the span was nearly double the cost estimated by the design engineer for the project ($598,906 vs. $920,957).

The specifications for the project were as detailed as possible, so we have to wonder why there is such a large gap between the city's estimate and a contractor's. That alone doesn't bode well for a final price tag, which conceivably could reach well past $1.5 million or more.

The bright side in all this is a bit of common sense espoused by Councilor Jim Boland, who put forth the idea of a temporary - and much cheaper - pedestrian bridge while city staff studies what happened and how to proceed.

Looks like we've come full circle in this debate. When the City Council meets to discuss Boland's idea, we hope they see the message in the entrails of cost overruns and approve a pedestrian bridge.

While they're at it, they might as well make it a permanent one. That would provide the desired connectivity and would allow those gung-ho for a vehicular bridge to bow out gracefully.

And that would be a good omen of things to come.

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Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
http://www.MoscowCares.com
  
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho
 
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