WaysSouth Voices Newsletter • Summer 2011
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Lots of activities surrounding Corridor K proposals in both North Carolina and Tennessee have kept WaysSouth busy organizing comments, sponsoring meetings and attending hearings.
In Tennessee, TDOT held public meetings and a written comment period this spring. They announced plans to drop from consideration several of the early options, including the southern routes that pass through the Ocoee Bear Reserve and the “Kimsey Highway” route. Unfortunately, they are also dropping the economically and environmentally preferable option for spot improvements on the existing road.
TDOT also will only be looking at two-lane options. They are unclear about whether they will acquire enough right-of-way to keep a four-lane option for later upgrades. However, the two-lane options call for 12-foot travel lanes with 12 foot shoulders plus a ditch on each side for a footprint of over 50 feet. TDOT has provided no rationale or need for such an intrusive road.
WaysSouth organized comments protesting the elimination of the spot improvements alternative and setting out our vision of what a reasonable alternative would look like.
The project now enters the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) analysis and drafting phase. TDOT plans to release a draft EIS in Fall 2012. In preparation for this phase, WaysSouth held two open meetings to discuss strategies. We continue to work with citizens and partner groups to influence the process and ensure the best EIS.
In North Carolina, NCDOT also held a hearing and comment period this spring. WaysSouth organized comments in favor of improving existing roads instead of building the devastating new four-lane highway NCDOT supports.
NCDOT recently prepared a report analyzing improvements on existing roads, as required by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. NCDOT concluded that the “improvements” alternative is not feasible. However, this assessment is deeply flawed and the Corps and other agencies have refused to accept its conclusions. Agencies with approval jurisdiction over the NC project are at an impasse on what the proper course is. A mediation process has been initiated and consequently the schedule for this segment of Corridor K is very uncertain.
A second NCDOT report, addressing “Indirect and Cumulative Effects” of the project, largely delves into economic issues and verifies that despite its backers’ claims, Corridor K will have virtually no beneficial economic impact.
Thanks to everyone who participated in meetings and hearings put on both by the state DOTs and by WaysSouth, and to those who submitted comments on either segment. With your support, we will continue pressing for solutions that are right for the region’s culture, environment, and economy.
To Whom it may concern:
North Carolina
The roads in the area do not need to be widened to the length specified by the state. Highway 28 widening was probably an earmark and traffic on that road doesn’t constitute the need of such a highway that was built. I just came off of a motorcycle ride through many states and saw various waste of government money, earmarks, on highways that were not needed that removed the two-lane old road, one had two bridges that deadended into a hill, go figure. In Canada and upper peninsula of Michigan to convserve the beauty of the area, a two lane road had various passing areas designated, slower traffic to the right, and passing on the left, and these lane extensions were only 1/2 mile long or shorter for the conditions. Nobody has proposed this style of highway in any drawings and this would be accepted probably through the community then nothing at all. There are places on 28, like in Stecoah, and 129 before Robbinsville, that this could be achieved, also on 143 going north to meet 28.
Route 64 could be improved, if a highway in a city can build single lane HOV lanes that run on bridges with single support poles, why not do that. Place bridges that would allow traffic to pass the slower traffic. I’ve seen some semi trucks in 64 that go to fast with heavy gravel loads. Look at satellite pictures. Near the road by the kayak center are power lines, considering the power lines take more space than a road, utilize the space and force the utility to be compensated for condensing their power lines or burying them to share the space of a road. Their are plenty of places in 64 that are straight that could maneuever improvements even if they have to cut into a mountain a little and harden the side it would probably still cost less then landscaping through a mountain area and really be minimum impact to the environment..