As a citizen of Habersham County I have many concerns about the proposed interstate through our mountains of Northeast Georgia. The main question that has not yet been answered is this: "Who wants this interstate and why?"

We have been told that it will help alleviate traffic around Atlanta. However, won't the planned second bypass around Atlanta help alleviate the problems there? Why not improve existing roads rather than tear up and pollute the beautiful mountains of Northeast Georgia?

Also, building this interstate will only make the ride from Savannah to Knoxville a few miles shorter and will pollute the water that is used by people living in Atlanta.

An interstate running through the mountains will have to cross hundreds of rivers and streams, polluting each one as it is built and used. We have been told that having an interstate will boost our economy.

However, upon investigation it has been shown that Northeast Georgia is one of the most economically viable parts of Georgia.

The businesses that come with interstates are usually fast-food restaurants, truck stops, gas stations, and outlet malls (not to mention the "adult establishments" that have plagued Lavonia). This does not usually improve the economy of the nearby towns, but rather pulls business away from small towns and established businesses.

We have been told that this road will be build without destroying the ecology of the region or threatening the wildlife. Have you ever known an interstate to come through that hasn't done this? Just take a drive up 441 to Clayton and you will see a small part of what will happen if I-3 is built. One thing is for sure, this interstate, if built, will change the face of our mountains, will cause air, water and noise pollution and will most certainly have an adverse effect on wildlife. There are also many archaeological and historical sites that will have to be navigated when proposing a route.

Those investigating the different aspect of building an interstate through the mountains have read estimates of it costing $25 million per mile. How can our legislators allow this amount of money to be spent when our state is struggling with such a large deficit? Our schools are in a financial crisis, our taxes increase yearly, people with disabilities are on huge waiting lists for services and overall our federal and state economies have not bounced back since 9/11. Why not use the money where it is needed instead?

Finally, we are told that there is no "nuclear connection" in building this road. Is it a coincidence that there are nuclear power plants at both ends of the proposed interstate? Is it a coincidence that this road has been proposed when the United States is increasing its nuclear weapons program? We have been assured that this is not the reason for wanting the interstate.

If this is true, then why not use existing roads that are about the same distance and again improve upon them?
Sen. Norwood has referred to those people opposing this interstate as a "fringe group." I personally have been very impressed with the makeup of the coalition. There are people who come to the meetings from all walks of lives.
There are doctors, lawyers, contractors, teachers, social workers, carpenters, students, farmers, counselors and as many different people as there are occupations. "Fringe" is certainly not the description I would use to describe the people who love and want to preserve the mountains.

Rep. Shaffer has said that we need to slow down and not worry about something that is not going to happen anytime soon. However, I disagree with her. Now is the time to let your voices be heard. Now is the time to speak up and stand up for what you believe. Once the feasibility study is complete and those doing the study decided that the road is warranted, it will be too late. Even if this interstate isn't built for decades, is that the legacy you want to leave your children and grandchildren? I hope not.

The "Stop I-3 Coalition" has members from four states, including most of the Northeast Georgia counties. It isn't enough to keep it out of Habersham or White counties. We need to band together to keep it out of Northeast Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee. The Coalition has done an enormous amount of work in investigating the effects this interstate will have on our beautiful mountains.

Don't take my word for it, visit the Web site at www.stopI-3.org and decide for yourself.
It is my hope that we can stop this interstate from being built.

We don't need it, we don't want it and we still haven't been given a straight answer as to who does and why.

Karen Fain
Cleveland

< Back

Hosting donated by
Netspace Ads.com

Citizens Speak Letters-to-the-Editor and Editorial Opinions from the Regional and National Press and individuals' letters to the Stop I-3 Coalition

Reasons for interstate are not justified

Citizens Speak
Letters-to-the-Editor and Editorial Opinions from the Regional and National Press
and individuals' letters to the Stop I-3 Coalition