The Hybrid Tunnel redesign is cheap, unsafe, and unusable. You don't need an engineer to determine that. A grade separation alternative is cheaper and eliminates Mayor Greg Nickels' costly, unneeded waterfront park. Here are the issues that need attention.

- Both tunnels have six lanes. The hybrid is just 2 feet narrower in each direction. A 26 percent reduction cannot be realized by a 5 percent narrower, unsafe width.

- The hybrid reduces speed from 50 miles per hour to 40 because of narrow lanes and 35 miles per hour during rush hour.

- The original tunnel must have six lanes to eliminate a bottleneck.

- It must be limited access for throughput and is not a scenic route.

The mayor's Feb. 13, 2006, letter to all residents about the original tunnel states: "Today, with $3.2 billion already committed to the project, we have the resources needed to start building the tunnel."

Truth is, Nickels can't find the money for potholes without a new tax. He always wants something we don't need and can't afford. That drags the city down.

John M. White

West Seattle