Eastern Bypass is unnecessary
Published: Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 10:36 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 10:36 p.m.
Dear Editor: It's not too surprising that PARA sold one third of Hurricane Creek Park — at a loss — to ALDOT for the Eastern Bypass. However, the deal raises the question: 'Who knew what, when?' What's really surprising is that years after the highway planners came up with the Eastern Bypass, they're still trying to shove this unnecessary project down Tuscaloosa residents' throats. ALDOT's insistence on trying to ram this project through the hills and hollows of some of the most beautiful and biologically diverse woodlands in Alabama borders on the pathological.
Does this proposed bypass serve any need not met by existing roads? We already have a Western Bypass that functions well in getting drivers from Interstate 59/20 to U.S. Highway 82. McFarland Boulevard and I-359 will take you to the interstate if you live in the center of town. And if you live on the east side of town, it's a short trip down University Boulevard to access the interstate.
ALDOT wants to spend hundreds of millions of our tax dollars to permanently scar this irreplaceable corner of our natural inheritance so that a small number of Tuscaloosans can shave five minutes off the trip to Birmingham? Hurricane Creekkeeper John Wathen says this will be the most expensive highway ALDOT ever builds. The real beneficiaries of this transfer of funds will be the road contractors, while the losers in this dubious transportation project will be our environment and the public ALDOT ostensibly serves.
Miles Eddins
Tuscaloosa
ALDOT wants to spend hundreds of millions of our tax dollars to permanently scar this irreplaceable corner of our natural inheritance so that a small number of Tuscaloosans can shave five minutes off the trip to Birmingham? Hurricane Creekkeeper John Wathen says this will be the most expensive highway ALDOT ever builds. The real beneficiaries of this transfer of funds will be the road contractors, while the losers in this dubious transportation project will be our environment and the public ALDOT ostensibly serves.
Miles Eddins
Tuscaloosa
To say that the Eastern Bypass is unnecessary for residents of Tuscaloosa is preposterous to say the least. One reason being that those hundreds and millions of dollars being spent, will be spent and circulated primarily in Tuscaloosa, to Tuscaloosa contractors, to Tuscaloosa workers. Who in turn, spend that money in Tuscaloosa shops, restaraunts, stores, gas, movies, football, etc. etc. As far as the money goes, it will be a wonderful boost to our local economy by creating lots of jobs and new areas for Tuscaloosa to expand along the bypass. The trickle down effect of "new money" will certainly benefit all people who call Tuscaloosa their home. Second reason being, Tuscaloosa has grown at an incredible rate over the last few decades. There are more than "a small number of Tuscaloosans" who need easier access to the interstate. The Eastern Bypass would especially benefit our most populated and prosperous communities that lie north of the river, which by the way, is the direction that the city is growing(i.e, Rice Mine Road, North River, Watermelon Rd., Hwy.69N, Hwy.43N, Hwy.171, etc.etc) Furthermore, as the city and its population grows so will the need for additional roadspace. Downtown Tuscaloosa, University Blvd. and McFarland Blvd. have been expanded as much as they ever will be. There is simply no more room. The Eastern Bypass will serve as a direct route around the city (similiar to what 459 does for Birmingham) to alleviate traffic congestion in the metro areas. In my opinion, those who oppose the Eastern Bypass are selfishly standing in the way of a wonderful opportunity for Tuscaloosa to grow and flourish. Originally the bypass was planned to be finished by 2012 and so far the only thing to come from the plan is the addition of the Paul Bryant bridge. We are literally years behind on this project and for what?...A stream?...Really??? For God's sake 95% of the stream wont even be affected by the new bypass. A water hole shaped like an M should not determine the outcome of this project. It has been a long time coming but the time has come nonetheless for Tuscaloosa to progress.
ReplyDeleteMr Kenny Beck,
ReplyDelete1. "One reason being that those hundreds and millions of dollars being spent, will be spent and circulated primarily in Tuscaloosa, to Tuscaloosa contractors, to Tuscaloosa workers"
ALDOT does not use local contractors. They hire the lowest bidder from where ever they are located.
These contractors bring their own labor with them.
(I have documented every ALDOT job in our watershed, all were out of town companies)
2. "The Eastern Bypass would especially benefit our most populated and prosperous communities that lie north of the river, which by the way, is the direction that the city is growing"
The city can grow in any direction it wants to. The By-Pass can be built. It MUST and WILL be built by the current laws or it will not proceed.
If you are concerned about your tax dollars, you should look closely at the additional costs ALDOT has forced on this project by refusing to follow the law.
Mr. Kenny Beck
ReplyDelete1. ALDOT submitted flawed documents to obtain the EIS. We have proven that and set the project back several years to re-do the surveys they lied about the first time around. The price just went up. If ALDOT had followed the law this would not have happened.
2. The challenged EIS is now over 20 years old. FHA rules say a complete new EIS must be completed. ALDOT has refused. When they did a portion of the Archeology over it showed that we were right, the document was badly flawed. The price just went up.
3. There was NEVER a cost feasibility study as required by law. It will have to be done before progress can begin. The price just went up.
4. The conditions of the creek have changed. Since the TMDL is now complete requiring a 32% reduction for turbidity and an 87% reduction for Iron (found in all areas of this corridor) The plans as they now exist will not pass the EPA standards for these reductions. ALDOT will have to completely redraw the erosion plan and reduce the slope grades to 3:1 maximum. The price just went up.
5. The Corps of Engineers permit has not even been applied for. Corps reps have told them that the laws have changes and mitigation will be not only expensive but difficult to write as the plan is drawn today.
6. This project is not encapsulated in the "M" Bend. The entire corridor from River Road to the I-59 exchange is in the HC watershed. All areas are protected as a "Priority stream" All of the corridor will be far more expensive that originally approved.
7. ALDOT has a notoriously bad track record for compliance. We have documented every every ALDOT project in out area. None were compliant and all had negative impacts to the watershed. If they proceed with the plan as dranw it too will be non-compliant and yes I will report every violation, just as do for any project with type history.
8. ALDOT has NO legal egress to the land. No utility roads, no supply roads, nothing. That means that "drop in" building techniques will have to be used and with no place to store the refuse dirt and rock, it will have to be transported out of the area while the bridges are built. The cost of this project just went through the roof! If ALDOT had followed the law this would not have happened.
Mr. Kenny Beck
ReplyDeleteNone of the above requirements have anything to do with FoHC. It is the law and it will cost more than ALDOT has even spent to build and way more than the public has been led to believe.
Now comes the added cost of FoHC... add the cost of litigation it will take to make them obey the law and redo the surveys. Add the cost of litigation for the defense ALDOT will need to cover their collective arses when it fails. I could be wrong about the failure but in the 25 or more years I have been following ALDOT, I have never seen them complete one in compliance.
You said...
"The Eastern Bypass would especially benefit our most populated and prosperous communities that lie north of the river, which by the way, is the direction that the city is growing"
So you are saying that the established communities in the corridor that will be destroyed are worth less than the "most populated and prosperous communities that lie north of the river"
Why should we be sacrificed just so you can hurry along to the ball game faster.
You say...
"University Blvd. and McFarland Blvd. have been expanded as much as they ever will be. There is simply no more room."
Do you remember when McFarland was built? I do, it was the 82 "By-pass" What will the name of the congested Eastern By-pass corridor be named? Walt Maddox Blvd.? No Thank you.
Here you had this to say...
"those who oppose the Eastern Bypass are selfishly standing in the way of a wonderful opportunity for Tuscaloosa to grow and flourish."
I thought it was North River and Northport you were worried about.
Either can grow all they need to as long as it is done by the law.
I am not about to walk away from this community and allow ALDOT to butcher us for Walts Whims. We have just as many rights as the more wealthy on "The Other Side Of The River"
"We are literally years behind on this project and for what?...A stream?...Really??? For God's sake 95% of the stream wont even be affected by the new bypass. A water hole shaped like an M should not determine the outcome of this project."
I don't like to insult people I don't know but if you really think this is all it is about, you are far more ignorant that your writing lets on.
This is about our community AND the creek. We lived here long before most of the places you mentioned were built. Holt and Cottondale were once thriving communities with a large contribution to building Tuscaloosa.
We will not lie down and die just because some on the other side of the river are in too big of a hurry.