The saga of converting route 17 into Interstate 86 is never ending.

One has to start to wonder if Governor Pataki can get anything right. His ability to complete programs he starts always comes up short handed.

Upgrading the highway and turning it into an Interstate has enormous advantages. All our political leaders were cheering years back when the decision was made. Practically every politician took credit for it.

Gov. Pataki said the work would be complete by the end of the decade, then it was announced there would not be enough funds to finish the job.

Now – it is up to us the taxpayers to approve an extensive $2.9 billion bond act, of which monies would be allocated to complete the highway upgrade.

When the new Interstate Highway plan was revealed all the funding seemed to be in place. Where did the monies go? Why are we now asked to approve a new bond issue? The answer is easy - budget shortfalls.

Now voters are confronted with the task of approving a $2.9 billion bond act of which monies would be allocated to complete Interstate 86.

The western part of route 17 now meets Interstate requirements. It is believed that it will cost an additional $600 million to complete the highway conversion - $120 million will be required from the bond act for the project.

In order to meet federal guidelines, in Parksville alone, it will cost $51.6 million to reconstruct that portion of the highway.

We will be spending all this money to convert the highway into an Interstate, when what we also need are additional lanes. This must be a major concern to all motorists and taxpayers.

Once Route 17 becomes an Interstate, not only will more trucks will be using the roadway, but everyday drivers will as well.

If casino gaming, concert venues, additional housing and commercial developments come to our area - we can expect increasingly more traffic. We should not forget the bottle necks that are on route 17 right now in Middletown and Harriman.

Several of our elected officials have already called for increased lanes to be constructed on the highway. In fact, funds are being set aside to do studies on traffic congestion on the thoroughfare.

Is a costly study really necessary to tell us what we already know?

Converting Route 17 into an Interstate is terrific, but we also need additional lanes in certain key areas to assist in traffic flow.

Once the Interstate 86 is complete - they will wake up and decide to construct extra lanes. Sad, but that is how our system works.

Should voters approve the bond act in November? If we want to finish construction of the highway, Sullivan County voters have no alternative but to vote yes.

Email Bill