Tue
Aug 25 2009
07:51 am
The More Things Change...
By: fletch

The Federal Highway Administration is moving forward with a feasibility study for Interstate 3, a proposed highway from Savannah to Knoxville. The article says it's a three year $3 million project, although Congress only approved $1.32 million in 2005. Granted, Congress has switched hands since the study was initially funded and so has the Administration, but with make-shift work projects seeming to be a major part of economic stimulus, you have to wonder what the federal government will do in regards to funding such projects. The stimulus bill passed recently provided funding to complete large sections of the Foothills Parkway and improve human infrastructure, including roads, within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and not really to preserve and protect the Park for future generations.

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ma am's picture

Please also see Wayssouth

Submitted by ma am on Tue, 2009/08/25 - 9:10am.

Please also see Wayssouth website; Stop I-3 is part of their mission:
(link...)

Elrod's picture

What an absurd project

Submitted by Elrod on Tue, 2009/08/25 - 11:47am.

So the Dragon is going to become an Interstate? Oh, maybe they can build a 40-mile tunnel under the western edge of the Smokies! This is almost the textbook definition of government waste.

R. Neal's picture

See also:I-3 insanity |

Submitted by R. Neal on Tue, 2009/08/25 - 12:45pm.

See also:

I-3 insanity | KnoxViews

Opponents also say there is a hidden nuclear agenda involving shipment of nuclear weapons materials and hazardous nuclear waste between the DOE Savannah River Site and Oak Ridge.

And here: (link...)

Rachel's picture

I'm worried about a lot of

Submitted by Rachel on Tue, 2009/08/25 - 1:19pm.

I'm worried about a lot of things - an interstate through the park isn't one of them.

Brian A.'s picture

I'll gladly save the

Submitted by Brian A. on Tue, 2009/08/25 - 1:32pm.

I'll gladly save the government $2 million by doing the feasibility study for $1 million.

"We have to look at variables like terrain, rights of way and the technical requirements," Hecox said. "We'll determine if it's possible at all and how much it will cost."

The terrain is hilly and mountainous. It's technically challenging, but possible. It will cost a boatload of money. It's not worth it.

Brian A.
I'd rather be cycling.

rocketsquirrel's picture

great. because two

Submitted by rocketsquirrel on Tue, 2009/08/25 - 1:43pm.

great. because two interstates running through Knoxville just wasn't enough. possible routes here (via wikipedia.) hopefully they'll tie in to I-75 further south.

Note to Obama-blamers: This project was outlined in 2005 SAFETEA-LU legislation. Blame Jimmy Duncan instead for not killing this stupid idea. I think he's for SAFETEA-LU. As usual, hard to tell with his fence-straddling. Can we get SAFETEA-lite? Fix existing infrastructure and stop building more un-needed highways?

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