Dear Source,
We, 100%, support your stand regarding the ”Jersey Wall” needed for Hwy 97!!!
But we dare say you do not go far enough (literally). The jersey wall needs to separate the entirety of Hwy 97 (or as it is better known, ”Blood Alley”) from Redmond, through La Pine, on to Klamath Falls.
My family and I live in Bend, and we have many other family members that visit us from Nevada and California on a regular basis. Many sleepless nights have been the fault of knowing our loved ones are traveling on this ”death trap” of a roadway.
As well, we travel to Sunriver and La Pine quite often. We would visit these areas even more often if it wasn’t for the fact that we have to ”psych” ourselves up each time, for such a dangerous and harrowing expedition.
The State/ODOT should put this project at the top of the list, for the ”Infestructure” money’s (sic) promised by President Obama!
Oregon has such beauty that surrounds its roads. It is a shame that motorists have to watch out for their lives, rather than admiring the beautiful scenery.
Sincerely,
Kelly & Lynne Edwards and sons
This article appears in Jan 29 – Feb 4, 2009.
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I just love it when people demand things they aren’t willing to pay for. Especially when it’s so they can just “enjoy the scenery” instead of paying attention to where they’re driving. Let’s see, barriers all the way from Redmond to Klamath Falls – that’d cost what, a billion dollars? Oh, but don’t raise my taxes or vehicle registration you say – make everybody else in America pay for it. With more deficit spending no less, which actually means other people’s children will be the ones having to pay for it.
You are so lame. I have a better – and cheaper – idea for you. Buy yourself a nice little padded box, close yourself inside and never venture out into the big bad dangerous world. Then you can always feel nice and safe.
Having been born on (Gilchrest) and over the past half century and more have traversed 97 in its entirety perhaps ten or twelve thousand times, I have 1) never heard it referred to as “Blood Alley” and 2) would really rather motorists would not pay attention to the scenery, but instead pay attention to the road.
It’s really not that bad, when you’re paying attention.
Here is yet another take on your suggesiton; why don’t you go visit your family in California or Neveda and stay there! Native Oregonians know better than to sight see and drive.