DOT: Get priorities straight

I am outraged to hear the Washington state Department of Transportation is considering a loop highway around Mt. St. Helens so tourists won’t be inconvenienced.

What about the the inconvenience, wasted gas, wasted time and serious injuries just trying to drive through Monroe where no bypass has been built? The city of Monroe and the state have turned this place into a traffic nightmare by luring business and residents with little or no concern for the negative quality of life it has created.

There has been a plan for a bypass for over 20 years but nothing has been done because there is no money. Then how could any sane person (or group) think that a $4 million per mile road around a mountain for tourists is a good idea? I realize the tourist industry is important but to put their enjoyment ahead of our safety and sanity is just not acceptable.

We need a bypass route. We want a bypass route. Give us a long overdue bypass route.

Monroe

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

This combination of photos taken on Capitol Hill in Washington shows Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., on March 23, 2023, left, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., on Nov. 3, 2021. The two lawmakers from opposing parties are floating a new plan to protect the privacy of Americans' personal data. The draft legislation was announced Sunday, April 7, 2024, and would make privacy a consumer right and set new rules for companies that collect and transfer personal data. (AP Photo)
Editorial: Adopt federal rules on data privacy and rights

A bipartisan plan from Sen. Cantwell and Rep. McMorris Rodgers offers consumer protection online.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Tuesday, April 9

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Students make their way through a portion of a secure gate a fence at the front of Lakewood Elementary School on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. Fencing the entire campus is something that would hopefully be upgraded with fund from the levy. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Levies in two north county districts deserve support

Lakewood School District is seeking approval of two levies. Fire District 21 seeks a levy increase.

Comment: Want to fix Congress? Listen to those who work there

Congressional staffers have thoughts on what’s needed, and they’re even seeing evidence it’s working.

Comment: World order fraying because too few defend it equitably

Why should Putin worry about his crimes? Similar crimes have been excused by the U.S. and others.

Saunders: Biden can’t wish away border as 2024 election issue

Trump’s ‘animal’ rhetoric is gratuitous, but that doesn’t negate Biden’s failures to control the border.

Speak up for NLRB, against union-busting CEOs

Dear fellow Washingtonians, please take a moment to contact the CEOs of… Continue reading

A stop sign defaced with a spray-painted swastika is on the ground at the corner of 25th street and Rucker Avenue while a City of Everett worker installs a new one in the summer of 2009.  (Dan Bates / The Herald) 






Bates / The Herald)
Editorial: Necessary study of violent extremism gets reprieve

The budget funds a task force that will consider a public health approach to addressing hate crimes.

FILE - In this April 8, 2003, file photo, steam rises from the Columbia Generating Station, Washington state's only nuclear power plant, near Richland, Wash. The nuclear power plant in southeastern Washington state closed unexpectedly. The Tri-City Herald reports that the Columbia Generating Station's systems detected a problem Friday May 18, 2018, having to do with electrical distribution and automatically shut the plant down. Authorities said there is no risk to the public. (AP Photo/Jackie Johnston, File)
Editorial: Small nuclear plants may be key to state’s energy mix

The state allocated $25 million to fund review of a modular nuclear reactor as a climate solution.

Maybe kids should wait until they’re older for smartphones

With the advent of smart phones, parents had no warning, and peer… Continue reading

Grizzly bears return to North Cascade ecosystem long overdue

We applaud the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife… Continue reading

Has Everett already decided to build a new ballpark?

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, in her annual address, spoke on three options… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.