A tunnel to divert Bremerton ferry traffic makes sense when you look at a futuristic picture of the downtown core as a pedestrian plaza. I envision dense towering commercial buildings bordered by a vast shoreline of condominiums and cozy mixed-use neighborhoods and parks. This scenario doesn’t sit well with a thoroughfare running through the middle so people can transport themselves from Seattle to Silverdale.

But the idea of a tunnel in downtown Bremerton is bizarre, but these days I say, “Compared to what?” It was just last year that Windermere completed the construction of the first new commercial building in almost fifty years. Then wham bang in the blink of an eye, a block away, a seven-story crane is assisting the construction of yet another new building which will house an array of government agencies.

And days later that scene is followed with another enormous crane gracing the skyline. Its wild times all right, many thinking this progress should have presented itself decades ago, but I bet no one ever included a tunnel in the picture.

Everyday friends or strangers ask me for my opinion about the tunnel. Even though the media suggests a heated wave of controversy most people I talk to are primarily just puzzled – not knowing what to think. Maybe the reason is that the public has not been given enough information.

I was asked to sign a petition to delay tunnel progress because designs were not readily available. The day before I had picked up a city brochure that listed city lecturers, their expertise and phone numbers. One of the categories listed with Gary Sexton was the “tunnel,” but the petitioner hadn’t tried that avenue.

“If you don’t get answers after talking to Mr. Sexton come back and I will sign your petition,” I said. She didn’t come back. As far as I am concerned, this tunnel thing is bigger than the both of us. It is going to be had by appropriated federal money that if not used here will go to some other pork project in the mid-west. Any politician in their right mind would probably look at poor little project-starved-Bremerton and say, “Ooh baby you want what? Money for a tunnel? Here you are, struggling Navy town – it’s yours!”

I like to pick by battles where I can do something about it. As far as the tunnel, I feel it is a done deal so I am going to enjoy the ride since I am on the bus. I don’t like the idea of having to take any buildings down, but if that is necessary to construct the tunnel there can be something done to assist displaced tenants and the way the ground will be re-erected on “top of the tunnel.”

Bizarre, insane or goofy may be words easily thrown around where the tunnel is concerned, but let those who have studied the issue prevail. And don’t let my complacency be misunderstood for “selling out.” I swear – I have not been conversing with politicians. But I have seen a long history of stagnancy due to groups protesting, delaying and even stopping projects that could have benefited the City of Bremerton.

Amy Burnett
Amy Burnett Gallery
Bremerton