Your Opinion: "Dreams' may not be cost-effective

Dear Editor: A "dream" of what cost? I read Jim Beck's letter to the editor on the bicycle bridge and I couldn't agree more. As he stated, "The bicycle bridge is nice but at a cost of seven million dollars?"

I'll bet that most cyclists that live in Jefferson City will continue to haul their bicycles to a parking lot in Cedar City rather than to compete with traffic on the city streets from their homes to the bridge.

If you put a pencil to the cost per bicycle over the next 15-20 years that use this bridge the cost would be thousands of dollars per trip. We agree that it's nice but very expensive for a limited clientele.

Now to the next "dream" - Adrian's Island. The city has had a long-term interest in developing this island. Again, the cost will be substantial to tunnel under the railroad tracks, if the railroad ever agrees, plus the development of trails, restrooms and other improvements.

The island has again been under water recently as it is in a flood plain, unprotected by a levee, and is inundated by even modest flooding which happens frequently, leaving logs, trash and silt deposited on the island.

I have seen a foot or more of silt deposited on Missouri River accesses in Central Missouri which are maintained by the Department of Conservation and it is very expensive to remove.

There are several public use areas in Jefferson City, including Binder Lake, Runge Nature Center, Fairgrounds Lake, McKay Lake and a major walking trail system, so it is not as if public use areas are not available. An expensive undertaking when funds are being stretched to meet ongoing obligations.

Oh by the way, mosquito spray will be a necessity during the summer months on the island.

If the city is flush with money, perhaps they could spend a few thousand dollars on an asphalt overlay on the Dix Road overpass.

It has been one of the roughest sections of the city's streets for years and it is basically held together with asphalt patches. But it's not in anyone's "dream" as it is not very glamorous so I'm sure it will continue to be patched.