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900 W. Main St.,
PO Box 690 Grangeville, ID 83530
Phone: 208.983.1200 |
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| Public left to swing in wind on US 12 transports |
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| Editorial |
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By ICFP editor - David Rauzi
Few things get people upset more than finding out about matters of significance too late in the game to do anything about other than get angry and watch the progress commence.
Such is the whole U.S. Highway 12 issue in regards to shipments of oversized equipment to Montana and Canada.
As far as the shipments themselves go, it's a highway that supports commerce as well as rafters, tourists and residents. Get those drums rolling on their way. Let's either be consistent in applying the rules or prohibit all moneymaking enterprises from using this road. We don't buy the idea this will be a significant economic benefit to the region, but nor do we see how empty steel drums spilled onto the highway will cause ecological chaos anymore than your normal vehicle crash.
As stated on this page earlier this June, our buttons were pushed on this issue primarily due to the fact that this project slipped across the planning desk without any apparent attempts at public involvement. By the time this reached the public consciousness the wheels were literally turning and plans were set and only awaiting to be sanctioned by the ITD permitting process.
That was reflected in Judge John Bradbury's assessment, when he revoked the permits, saying essentially ITD was diligent in the process to ensure its highways would be taken care of, however, the public was left to swing in the wind.
What we see out of this process is asphalt and guardrails are the extent of ITD's vision. Our concerns for safety and welfare, our ideas and suggestions to benefit the process were never allowed to be part of the initial discussion and so help shape public policy.
ITD needs to answer these concerns -- and hopefully, wishfully, finding a way to bring some economic benefit to the affected region -- before these mega loads turn the corner onto Highway 12, but these loads should be allowed to make that corner.
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