To the editor:

We live on the southwest corner of Lawrence. To go to Kansas City, we take the existing bypass and cut through side streets to reach K-10. We stay off 23rd Street as much as possible because of the traffic overload. The South Lawrence Trafficway needs to be completed along the 32nd Street alignment. The Baker Wetlands survive all the runoff pollution from the city and they will survive when the bypass is built. We have a mini-wetland next to the bypass, near the Wakarusa Street exit, where we have seen ducks, geese, bald eagles, beavers, coyotes and deer. And that is just the large wildlife that we can see. We get more noise from the Youth Sports Complex than we do from the bypass.

Changing the bypass to a street, per Mr. Haase’s recommendation, allows developers unlimited access. Building roundabouts would severely hamper boat and camper traffic to Clinton Lake. In case you haven’t noticed, developers are moving east and west. Currently, access to the bypass is limited to certain streets.

In looking at the whole picture, Lawrence probably does need an eastern connection to the turnpike. To get traffic off Sixth Street, another bridge across the Kansas River also is needed. But let’s finish the bypass first. Getting the traffic off 23rd Street is more important. The Planning Commission and the City Commission don’t represent everyone. Put the bypass options on the ballot and let’s vote on them, for the people and by the people.

Betty Henderson,

Lawrence