This in response to the letter, “Be glad, for practicality’s sake”: The writer, from Sultan, has “to drive to Everett to go to Walmart.” When you decide to live in a smaller town there are trade-offs. Driving longer to get places is one of them.
The writer said, “I know a lot of people would be glad if a Walmart was built behind McDonalds on the four lanes east of Sultan.” Then she goes on to say “you think the traffic in Monroe is bad just try to get on U.S. 2 on Saturday or Sunday or holiday in Sultan.” A Walmart in Sultan will bring more traffic all through the town. How does she think people will get to Walmart?
Traffic is my major concern with Walmart or any box store on North Kelsey. The bypass she spoke of, I don’t think we will live to see it built. My personal issue is traffic and more traffic will make it unsafe for me to live in Monroe. I bike around town. The traffic study for the area was done in 2003 or 2004 and doesn’t include U.S. 2 and North Kelsey intersection nor a freight train backing up traffic. I asked the City Council to do that before going ahead with Walmart. That area is near maximum it can’t take more traffic.
During the Monroe City Council meeting when the train came up, a Walmart rep said, it’s a half mile away it won’t affect traffic. The audience busted out in laughter.
Rosie Tatel
Monroe
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