Should the state of Washington quit plowing Snoqualmie Pass and Stevens Pass in Winter?? (prices, safer)

[Andy]

Originally Posted by DevanXL

Could you elaborate one these points? I understand the Skiers part obviously but I just know how it could be negligble for tourism?

The # of tourists flocking to see tunnels is quite small.

[BellevueNative]

Originally Posted by DevanXL

A tunnel would solve so many problems!

What's with the obsession over tunnels? Do you realize how expensive they are? And no, they don't always pay off.

[Botev1912]

Originally Posted by BellevueNative

What's with the obsession over tunnels? Do you realize how expensive they are? And no, they don't always pay off.

Not everything in the world is about money. But unfortunately this is not the case in the US where money is the most important factor when making decisions.

[BellevueNative]

Originally Posted by Botev1912

Not everything in the world is about money. But unfortunately this is not the case in the US where money is the most important factor when making decisions.

Not everything is about tunnels, either!

[DevanXL]

Originally Posted by BellevueNative

What's with the obsession over tunnels? Do you realize how expensive they are? And no, they don't always pay off.

My the other tunnel Idea isn't necessary but he is right not everything is about money. Some things you invest in not expecting to get a return back. What is one day a major avalanche happens and kills a bunch of people? Heaven forbid that ever happen but in my book the safer option is always the better one. Not to say if there is a better alternative I wouldn't take it. My idea isn't far fetched though, they build tunnels through mountains in alot of places, very expensive? Yes! But useful for now and the future? Definitely!

[sean98125]

They close down I-90 periodically in the winter to create controlled avalanches. Still a lot cheaper than a tunnel.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Botev1912

Not everything in the world is about money. But unfortunately this is not the case in the US where money is the most important factor when making decisions.

The money you spend one place is money you can't spend somewhere else. Studying the costs and trade-offs are an important component of any competent decision.

[PS90]

Originally Posted by Botev1912

Not everything in the world is about money. But unfortunately this is not the case in the US where money is the most important factor when making decisions.

Well, considering the current economic state of this country, and this state, everything is about money when nobody has any to spare. Also, I doubt many European countries are shelling-out for any new trans-mountain tunnels, considering their current economies either. Easy to say it's not about money when you have plenty, not so much otherwise.

[springshades]

There is a fundamental difference between a 15 billion dollar tunnel to bypass a 3,000 foot pass where winter storms that are heavy enough to close the pass are relatively rare vs a 10 billion dollar tunnel to bypass a 7,000 foot pass with regular vicious winter weather conditions.

Also, I have the feeling that closing one pass simply shifts the budget burden to other parts of the country. I mean, trucks can take I-84 but then they'd be left with either an awkward route back to I-90 (since I-82 is not a direct connection) or more likely they'd connect to I-80 to get to the rest of the US. Even though I-84/I-80 are farther south than I-90, the road conditions aren't necessarily better because the passes tend to be much higher and more steep over the middle of the country. Save money on I-90 which would then force more lanes on other freeways to compensate.

[DevanXL]

Originally Posted by Andy

The # of tourists flocking to see tunnels is quite small.

I didn't mean it by they were gonna see the tunnel i meant it as tourism in the mountains and to the eastern part of the state.

Anyways who came up with the cost of $15 Billion Seems over exaggerated to me.