Letter: Environmental, Historic Concerns Should Already Have Been Studied

In this letter to the editor, a Cartersville resident says board member Jeff Lewis should be ashamed of comments he apparently made about the U.S. 411 Connector project's timeline and the controversial environmental and historical concerns surrounding it.

Dear Editor,

In a recent news article about the badly needed U.S. 411 Connector, State Transportation Board Member Jeff Lewis stated, “Everything is still on schedule right now.” I am not sure what calendar Mr. Lewis is using, but the project has been delayed for 20 years and he should be embarrassed for making such a claim.

Mr. Lewis also stated, “What can throw off the schedule now is if these environmental and historic preservation concerns become reality.” Actually, these concerns are already a reality and should have been studied during the Georgia Department of Transportation’s initial evaluation of the proposed route (Route D-VE), which took place several years ago. The truth is; the current delays can be attributed to GDOT’s inept planning.  If GDOT had done thorough environmental and historic resource studies, as required, years ago, GDOT would have realized that Route D-VE is a mistake and chosen a cheaper, less invasive alternative route.

If Mr. Lewis is looking to get the road project completed in our lifetime, then I would propose GDOT select a safer, more affordable alternate route. Other routes (such as Route G) could be built quicker, save taxpayers $112 million, and preserve our environment and historic resources.

In closing, I find it encouraging that GDOT and the Federal Highway Administration are possibility studying alternate routes for the 411 Connector. 

Sincerely,

T. Scott Inman