Letter To The Advertiser

Wanted you to be aware of a letter I have today sent to Ken Hare at the ADVERTISER.
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Last month, Volkert Engineers under contract with the Alabama Department of Transportation presented a comprehensive presentation about the proposed I-85 extension that would connect Montgomery to Meridian Miss.

What bothers me most is the lack of attendance and public awareness of the opportunity for the public to see and participate in the planning process, point out concerns and make suggestions as to the proposed route. I understand that packed houses attended similar presentations in Selma and Demopolis, yet the one held in Montgomery was the least attended. In spite of the fact that the ramifications of a decision will have lasting impact on the city's future direction, our local media did not even cover it in advance or during the event.

On the eastern end of the project, two alternatives are proposed. One would go south of Montgomery, through Lowndes County, the other would go north of the city through northern Autauga County.

Without doubt, there are some legitimate concerns to the proposed I-85 extension, but I cannot understand the public apathy when this decision will impact our region's economy and growth patterns for a century.

Thankfully, much time remains for those with concerns to seek answers and express reservations.

The firm charged with the I-85 corridor study seems genuinely interested in doing this the right way. They know what elected officials know that this Interstate is meant for the benefit of this region of the state, not it's detriment. So it is a reasonably safe assumption that they will seek to choose the most acceptable route for this longterm project.

Surely, any of the proposed routes will upset some. That is the inevitable by-product of progress. While it may be easy for us to say such when we have no property to be lost in the project or personal gain to be made by its location, we have a responsibility to express our views and insure accountability for the decisions ahead.

Nonetheless, there are great benefits in the I-85 extension project. Not only will it provide access to jobs for some of the state's poorest counties, it will open a new east west route across the US from the port of Savannah to the West Coast. It will lower mileage costs to truckers, and it will open up Montgomery as an even better distribution center. Plus, it will make leisure travel much easier and shorter, not to mention providing a new evacuation route from the Gulf Coast.

As a member of the Montgomery Chamber's I-65 Corridor Committee and a champion of Montgomery and the River Region, I encourage all citizens to educate themselves about this project and become involved in future public hearings, the next of which will be held in February 2007. This project may take years to finish, but the work being done now holds great ramifications for future decisions. Officials hope that this fast track planning will permit fast track completion of this important project.

For those who did not attend the public meeting, there is a public web site at www.I85extension.com where citizens have an opportunity to see what is proposed and to express an opinion. They may also call toll free at 1-866-485-7623.

This may be the most important economic decision of the century, and we should all feel a responsibility to be involved. After all, they asked for our input up front, not after decisions are made.

Sandra Nickel
1200 S. Lawrence
Montgomery 36104
834-1500