Bingen nixes SR 504 support

Proponents of the concept had asked the city of Bingen to send a letter expressing support for reopening the roadway to through traffic. The letter would have gone to members of the Washington Legislature and the state's congressional delegation to boost efforts to obtain funding.

Council member Jeanette Fentie said she believed the projected cost of the construction -- $18.5 million -- could be put to better use elsewhere.

"I think it's a lot of money for seven miles of road," Fentie explained.

She added that studies show that most visitors to Mt. St. Helens go to the area on day trips only.

"If most people are doing day trips, I doubt many would come into our area," she explained. "That kind of money could be better spent. It's a lot of money, and states just don't have money."

Councilor Larry Murphy agreed.

"That money could be better spent on direct tourism," Murphy said. "I'm not really in favor of it."

Terry Trantow said he liked the idea of rebuilding the road, but he didn't see much direct value to Bingen, "since we're so far out of the area."

Mayor Brian Prigel said he concurred with the council's reluctance to authorize a letter of support.

"I can go either way. So let's just keep our nose out of it for now," Prigel said.

Prigel added that, although he could support a road built to minimal standards, he did not think creation of a permanent, all-weather road through the Mt. St. Helens area would be wise, as it could lead to a significant boost in traffic through rural areas.

"I would not support a major thoroughfare to make it easier to get from here to Seattle," Prigel explained. "Economic development is a double-edged sword. People live here because it is a quiet, rural area."

The plan called for seven miles of highway, built to "county road standards," that would link the Mt. St. Helens National Monument with Forest Service roads that would allow traffic to come south to Carson or Trout Lake.

Prigel pointed out that given the economic conditions in the state and the nation currently, he doubted the project would gain funding.

"It's not likely this project will meet with success," he said.