The business brief item about Deception Pass Bridges, “Built to Last,” on Oct. 4, overlooked some important points.

The North Whidbey Access Feasibility Study completed in May 2001 said the bridges are nearing the end of lives, and must be removed for about 1 1/2 years during replacement.

Senator Haugen has said the projected lifespan of 80 years will occur in 2015, about seven years from now. Haru Coffman, the senior Bridge Preservation Officer for the Washington State Dept. of Transportation, says it can have its life extended further yet, with more money.

My concern with the 73-year-old bridge is not its age or its historic designation, but its substandard features. The 11 foot wide lanes and three foot sidewalks and total lack of bike lanes is just dangerous for all users. With the coming depression and high fuel costs, the Dept. of Transportation should be making safe plans for bike users and pedestrians.

WSDOT just wants to “carefully record the maintenance activities,” with, apparently, not any plans for eventual replacement. This kind of reminds me of the steel electric ferry scenario, except this is the only bridge to Whidbey. If there are no bridges to Whidbey, fuel and water costs will increase, together with everything else that comes by barge or ferry, just like the San Juans.

Our leaders seem to be afraid to make the tough decisions out of fear of upsetting the NIMBY (Not in My Backyard) type voters.

Some of these NIMBYs seem to prefer to poop in their own nest because it’s politically correct, and to hell with the future generations who want to live and work here.

Am I being too harsh in my assessment of the situation? I still think a toll bridge to I-5 and Exit 215 could pencil out.

Dave Crawford

Anacortes