Ronan City Council asks for public opinion on highway project
Megan Strickland
Members of the Ronan City Council look at numerous maps of the proposed Highway 93 expanison.
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RONAN – The Ronan City Council wants to hear input from the public about critical decisions being made in the Highway 93 expansion project. There were no citizens in attendance at the Oct. 28 meeting when the council discussed a game plan to take to an important daylong meeting with federal and state highway representatives on Nov. 6.
The city is currently in a back and forth negotiation with federal and state authorities that keep throwing out different options about the proposed path of Highway 93, that conflict with a plan that the city believes will be best for the local townspeople.
County, park board, tribal, and other local officials were invited to the Nov. 6 meeting, because more voices can give small towns more leverage when dealing with the planning authorities, Mayor Kim Aipperspach said.
The project has the potential to displace local businesses and buildings. Also at stake is a frontage road and bicycle path.
“(There are) two issues I have thought of,” city planner Dan Miller said. “What’s going to happen to the Boys and Girls Club? It’s not being considered in this, and Maxwell Apartments.”
A path was made so the elderly at the Maxwell Apartments can walk to Mission Mart, Miller said. The project could affect that path.
“I know that doesn’t fit into the scheme of things, but those are the things that have been brushed over,” Miller said.
It’s important to be critical of the plans, he noted.
“You look at some of stuff they’ve designed in the past 10, 15 years, and there are flaws in it,” he said.
The city wants the public’s help in preparing input.
“We are representing the people and the people have to let us know what they want,” Aipperspach said.
“Public comment is strongly urged,” Councilman Chris Adler added.
