The city of Bellevue has grand plans for improving West Lake Sammamish Parkway (which used to be Boulevard. … I don’t remember being asked about the change). But, like the rest of us, the city is a little short on money.

The project’s five segments will total over $40 million. The city has a little over $6 million burning a hole in its pocket right now, enough to complete design on Phase One Segment One, it says, but not much beyond that.

I’ve used that roadway daily since the late 1940’s, and now can drive it with my eyes closed (I haven’t actually tried it) because of all the bumps and dips I’ve grown up with. The double-dump trucks bouncing down the road sometimes shake the houses. Is it too naive to suggest the city use some off that $6 million to put new, smooth pavement on the road, like they have on many other streets? Probably.

They’d apparently rather use that money for more studies on building something they have no funding for now, and aren’t likely too any time soon, than on something that can immediately improve the lives of people using and living by that road.

Don Riggs, Bellevue