Sun Road rehab work impressive

While it’s estimated that about $20 million more is needed to really polish Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road, the meat-and-potatoes parts of a comprehensive rehabilitation project on the historic highway are complete.

And from our standpoint, the work that has been done is an impressive accomplishment.

This was not a simple road maintenance job. Heavy-duty, structural work got underway in 2007 to basically rebuild and reinforce the road, even at its narrowest and highest stretches. The project also involved considerable architectural flourishes, including elaborate masonry work, to maintain the road’s historic character.

The goal from the start was to get it all done while keeping the road open to visitors, which has been done, other than short closures during the spring and fall shoulder seasons. That in itself was a remarkable challenge.

Our hope is that all that has been done will enable the road to last for decades to come. We are looking forward to driving the full distance of this renovated historic road soon!

Congratulations, Kellen

Here are a few impressive numbers to consider: 66-0, four and two.

The first numbers represent Kellen Bates’ record in Montana high school tennis: 66 wins and no losses. Four is the number of individual Class AA championships the Glacier High School standout won. And in setting those standards, Bates lost only two sets in his high school career.

Bates’ reign of dominance made him the first four-time singles tennis champion in Class AA since 1954.

Propelled by Bates’ latest state title, the Glacier Wolfpack boys took the team title in Class AA, too.

And although Bates is graduating and heading off to college tennis at the University of Indiana, the future still is bright for Wolfpack tennis: A pair of freshmen, Britt Walton and Spencer Johnson, won the doubles title at the state meet!

Support Team Sobba

If you are looking for a good cause, you won’t do better than Team Sobba.

The cycling team named for the late David Sobba, a Whitefish surgeon who helped raise thousands of dollars for Camp Mak-a-Dream, will continue the tradition in his honor. Sobba died of cancer in January, but even before he was diagnosed he was an ardent support of the camp, which provides cost-free programs for children, young adults and families affected by cancer.

Team Sobba will continue to participate in Ride Around the Pioneers in One Day — affectionately known as RATPOD — and hopes to raise $20,000 this year. To help, send a check to Team Sobba, Camp Mak-a-Dream, PO Box 1450, Missoula MT 59806.

Editorials represent the majority opinion of the Daily Inter Lake’s editorial board.