The
prospects for a completed I-69 are falling apart not only in Indiana but also
in Tennessee and possibly in other states.
As
this article shows [see Citing Lack of Funds,Tennessee Calls Off $1.5 Billion Highway Project]
For
years CARR has stated that Indiana does not have the money to complete I-69.
But state and federal officials insisted that we were wrong. Well, what do they
say now--don't worry we will come up with something; maybe it can be a toll
road.
Given
this reality, it would be a travesty and an unforgivable shame to clear-cut,
blast and bulldoze Section 4 through environmentally sensitive Greene and
Monroe Counties when I-69 will never deliver the benefits that have been touted
by its supporters. I-69 will never pay for itself. In addition, Indiana is
frequently rated among the worst states for various aspects of environmental
quality. In the long run building, I-69 will be very harmful to the economy of
Indiana as well as to our quality of life. I-69 is fast becoming a monumental
boondoggle.
Our
state has many more transportation needs and far less destructive ways to spend
billions of our tax dollars than continuing to throw scarce money at I-69.
A recent report by our colleagues at the Hoosier Environmental Council
[ I've uploaded this document to Google Drive - click here] points out that this year Indiana wants to spend 40% of its
discretionary funding, $366 million, just on Section 4 of
I-69. The total cost of Section 4 is likely to be well over $600
million.This cannot be justified when Indiana is not able to maintain the roads
and bridges we already have.
Governor
Pence wants to take $347 million from the state's pension fund for
transportation and other infrastructure projects. We believe that I-69 is
sucking a huge hole in INDOT's budget and is taking funding from other projects
across the state. Maybe we can finally agree on one thing--I-69 is not about
progress.
When politicians in Tennessee say: "The state wants to build places
people want to go to and not just through at high speeds. (emphasis added) they
are showing more common sense than Indiana politicians who say: let's continue
spending billions of dollars and trash the environment by building I-69 even
though we can't maintain the roads we have and don't have the money to
finish this one. People hearing this are beginning to look at Indiana and shake
their heads in disbelief.
Thank you for your enduring support.
Best
regards,
Thomas
& Sandra Tokarski
Posts
3 comments:
Even though the route chosen was over a billion dollars more expensive other routes and it would destroy environmentally sensitive lands I fear that the "fix" is in. Come hell or high water they'll find a way to try and complete I-69, no matter the cost in dollars and the cost to Hoosier conservation.
This project is another example of necessary corporate welfare Mitch felt compelled to deliver on. In addition to rejecting the economically and environmentally responsible US 41 route,they also have built a substandard road which will require more maintenance, earlier than would be needed.
Also, let's remember alot of the "trade" we envisioned building this road for has exited to China and SE Asia. The "trade" we need to build infrastructure for is container traffic from west coast seaports.
I live in Bloomington and I hope they finish at least section 4. I have to drive to Evansville and it would nice not to have drive two lane roads. This would save me so much time and with it being an interstate I could put my car on cruise control and that would save me on gas. I hate all you haters. I-69 will be the best thing to happen to Bloomington in a long time but all you tree huggers are only concerned about trees and bats. Get a life.
Post a Comment