Regarding the Sunday, July 26, Tribune article concerning a mixed-lane alternative for Bridge Avenue: It should be noted that Councilor Reid Olson was absent due to a family vacation, and I missed due to a medical appointment, although I had hoped to be present in time for the Bridge Avenue discussion.

Due to the nature of this issue, I would have appreciated if we would have been given the opportunity to comment for this article, especially since this project affects Mr. Olson’s ward directly.

It has been clear that city (and county) residents do not support a full four-lane design for Bridge Avenue, and I personally have not either. This is both due to the cost and the resulting destruction of a residential neighborhood and northside business area.

However, the road and underlying infrastructure will need reconstruction, so we need to look at other alternatives.

This was an agenda item for the council’s pre-agenda workshop on July 23. I would like to remind everyone that since approximately February, the agenda for this workshop is posted on the city’s Web site as well as in the lobby at City Hall.

Mike Murtaugh

mayor

Albert Lea