Legislator's Attitude on 411 Connector 'Cavalier'

Costs, design flaws and environmental concerns are reasons Bernadette Louis-Bengtsson says the 411 Connector should not be constructed as designed by the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Dear Editor,

Following the recent GDOT board election, I was surprised to read State Representative Christian Coomer’s comments about the U.S. 411 Connector, a highway for Rome that costs approximately $200 to $300 million. Coomer said the 411 Connector, “Needs to be built quickly, as designed.” Is he serious?

As designed, it is reportedly going to be mired in court for several years, and that is provided a judge does not toss out GDOT’s ridiculous route and require them to start over (again). Surely, he realizes this could set the project back even further or could kill it.

As designed, the route will also have serious environmental consequences for his constituents. Route D-VE will destroy a mountain, conservation easement and historic mine. The route will also impact the threatened Cherokee darter and cause acid drainage (from the Dobbins Mountain excavation) into nearby streams. It will also greatly increase storm water runoff and carry pollutants from the road into the fragile Pettit Creek and Nancy Creek watersheds.

As designed, his route will impact more residences and properties than others. Plus, how can anyone support the disastrous interchange GDOT is proposing for the connector at I-75 and SR 20? The interchange does not provide direct access to I-75 northbound and requires stop lights. The additional stop lights will lead to increased accidents and travel times for motorists, thus defeating the purpose of the road.

If we can expect this kind of cavalier attitude from Coomer on local environmental and transportation issues, then it is going to be a long couple of years for Bartow County.

Sincerely,

Bernadette Louis-Bengtsson