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By Rose Hooper
The proposed Southern Loop Bypass triggered the most concern from
Jackson County residents at the Transportation Improvement Program
public meeting Wednesday, Oct. 22.
Most speakers at the Southwestern Community College auditorium
asked that the proposal to connect U.S. 23-441 south of Dillsboro
to U.S. 23-74 east of Sylva not be placed on the state's 2006-2012
draft TIP. They further asked that the feasibility study for the
proposed loop, currently on the TIP, be eliminated.
"More than 3,000 residents so far have signed petitions to
remove the Southern Loop from the TIP and have asked you to develop
alternative plans," said Avram Friedman of Dillsboro.
"You have said you are going to listen to the will of the
people," Friedman addressed Ron Watson, DOT 14th division
engineer, and Conrad Burrell of Sylva, a member of the state DOT
board, who were conducting the meeting.
"If DOT is to gain credibility you must realize that the
community has spoken to you," Friedman said, stressing that
"DOT should be part of the process, but not dictate the process."
Friedman challenged DOT to "have the ingenuity to develop
a transportation system without building more roads."
The municipalities of Webster, Sylva, Dillsboro and Forest Hills
have passed resolutions opposing the Southern Loop, said Malcolm
McNeill of Webster.
"That resolution asks you to terminate all activity related
to the planning, design and acquisition for a Southern Loop Bypass,"
McNeill told Watson and Burrell. "It also asks that you develop
a comprehensive plan for improving existing roads as alternatives
to the bypass."
When Burrell said he did not have those resolutions, McNeill promised
to furnish him copies.
McNeill then cited the DOT's February 1994 recommendation to build
a cul-de-sac at Sunrise Park Road, using Caldwell Street to re-route
traffic to the intersection at Cherry Street.
"Your own engineers said that connector would help alleviate
some of the problems on N.C. 107," McNeill told the DOT officials.
"I believe there is more than one solution to any problem
and we need creative solutions through citizen input," said
Susan Leveille of Webster.
"What brought people here and keeps them here is quality
of life and the bypass will rob us all and change us forever.
"Is this loss to families whose homes will be destroyed worth
a few minutes of time somebody else saves in traffic?" Leveille
asked.
The role of the government is to protect the people, as defined
by the people, Norman Washer said.
"We have here an issue of eminent domain where soil can be
taken for the public good. But who defines the public good? I
think it should be the people and not DOT," Washer said.
"An expenditure of $230 million to destroy homes and displace
families is not for the public good."
"If you think building a bypass will solve our problems,
drive to Atlanta," said Harold Messer of Sylva.
Roger Turner commended a recent study by Sylva town zoning administrator
Jim Aust that proposes joining existing roadways to provide alternatives
to access destinations like Wal-Mart, Fairview Elementary and
Smoky Mountain High.
"In light of state budget shortfalls surely Aust's ideas
are worth looking at," said Turner, who urged the DOT to
"follow the will of the people."
George Allison of Sylva, whose outdoor advertising company has
been on N.C. 107 for 36 years, was one of the few speakers in
favor of the Southern Loop.
"Traffic is only going to increase," Allison said. "If
widening N.C. 107 is the solution, I'm for it; if a relief route
is the solution, I'm for it."
Pointing out that N.C. 107 is the only feeder into the southern
end of the county, Greg Scott said, "Put the Southern Loop
on the TIP now because it will take at least 15 years for completion."
Bob Ginn, who said he had been "hit twice in 18 months on
N.C. 107," urged the DOT to "build whatever you need
to take the pressure off that road."
Burrell said the Oct. 22 meeting was one of 14 statewide hearings
and that comments from each of the hearings would be transcribed
and submitted to the state DOT board.
A draft TIP will be produced next summer, Burrell said.
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