Just when you thought it was safe to go back under the river . . .

Last night I saw a political ad in which one of Dan Onorato's Democratic challengers for next Tuesday's primary election attacked him for his involvement in what the ad called . . . wait for it . . . the "Tunnel to Nowhere." The ad had all sorts of quotes in which the whole project was criticized, including one in which Governor Ed Rendell called it a "tragic mistake." This is interesting because it might be an issue that will resonate with voters, both locally and across the state. I don't have any knowledge of what, if any, role Dan Onorato played in getting the project approved and securing millions of federal dollars (although not nearly enough of them to actually finish the project). But I do know that as County Executive of Allegheny County, he did NOTHING to STOP the project before it became the giant boondoggle that I predicted it would be many, many years ago. And now he wants to move to Harrisburg with these two damn tunnels burrowed under the Allegheny River and no completion in sight. NOBODY in this town did ANYTHING to stop the stupid project that got its birth in the Tom Murphy Administration. Except Bill Peduto. But that's another story. Will this issue stick to Uncle Dan the way the so-called "Bridge to Nowhere" stuck to Sarah Palin? If Onorato wins the primary and gets the Democratic nomination for Governor, I will look forward to seeing how he responds to criticism from the Republicans about these twin tunnels under the river.