Tax money is being wasted on U.S. 93

Editor,

Do you know how your tax dollars are being spent for the highway from Evaro to Polson? Are you a daily commuter, using Highway 93 either north or south? Are you happy driving on two-lane roads, with passing lanes, or simply two-lane when traveling Highway 93, and this is new construction?

In traveling the completed road from Ravalli to Arlee, I feel the tax dollars have been used unwisely. When breaking out from the curves near Ravalli going south, the road becomes a racetrack [to see] who can pass the most slow moving vehicles first. And sometimes the slow moving vehicle speeds up so others who have been following cannot pass, and stay within the speed limit.

It seems to me, and many others I have spoken to that there is ample room to run four lanes of traffic through the area. Why then was this not done at this time?

If this is an indication of what happened on that stretch of road, what is the road from Post Creek to St. Ignatius going to be like when completed? Is this also going to be two-lane, with passing lanes? Perhaps us taxpayers need to be aware of where our tax dollars are being spent. Even though meetings have been provided, there has not been enough published information, actual photos, to let the public see what the highway is to be like.

In attending the community meeting in Ronan, Sept. 19, it was to my dismay, and others, that the favored proposal is for a two-lane raised highway from Post Creek to just past Ninepipes to accommodate the turtle and wildlife population.

I realize that the critters need protection, but what about human life? Would it not be more economical to put in a four-lane road and slow the speed limit than to do another two-lane road, one which we already have?

The sign on the new highway coming north out of Arlee says something to the effect that your tax dollars are working for you. If this is the way the tax dollars are being spent, then my tax dollars shall be paid under protest. I feel a four lane road from Evaro to Polson would be the only way to go.

How about you?

Voice your written opinion to the Montana Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 201001, Helena, MT 59620-1001 or call them at 406-444-7228.

Virginia Cornelius

Ronan