Commissioners: “I’ve learned more, I’m not for (Interstate 3).”
By Carla Owens Sentinel writer

Although County Commission Chairman Stephen “Doc” Sellers said it is highly unlikely that Interstate-3 will ever become a reality, County Commissioners did all but make an official statement against the Interstate which would connect Knoxville, TN with Savannah, GA via the Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains.

“I’m against it,” Commissioner Paul Jordan stated. “I don’t think the solution to solving Atlanta’s traffic problem is shifting it up here,” he added.

Commissioner Dwight Penland, who had previously said he was for growth if it would bring jobs, said he had looked into the I-3 issue further. He did not mince words at Thursday’s County Commission meeting, emphatically stating: “I’ve learned more, and I’m not for it.”

Chairman Sellers was not as emphatic, simply saying, “I’m not for interstates.” Sellers added that he does not foresee an I-3 being constructed through Clay County or any part of Western North Carolina.

“Even if they did a study, it would be 20 years before a road would be built,” he added.

There was some question Thursday night as to whether the money appropriated by Congress for an I-3 study had even been approved.

Members of the Clay-Cherokee Chapter of the Stop I-3 Coalition were on hand for Thursday’s Commission meeting, and said that $1.3 million had been earmarked for the study. Lead by John Clarke, the group was asking the Clay County Commission to pass a resolution formally stating their opposition to I-3, or at least formally ask that public participation be a requirement for the I-3 study to be conducted by the Federal Highway Administration.

According to the Coalition, a feasibility study for Interstate-3 was ordered by Congress in a transportation bill signed into law on Aug. 10. Such an Interstate, according to the coalition, would be constructed from Savannah by way of Augusta through the North Georgia Mountains up Hwy. 69 to Hwy. 64, eventually connecting North Carolina with Tennessee. Interstate-3 would culminate in Knoxville, TN.

Members of the Stop I-3 Coalition told commissioners that Habersham, White and Rabun Counties have already expressed opposition to I-3 in either letter or resolution form.

In a letter addressed to commissioners, Clarke wrote, “Even though the road may never be built...and construction would be several years away, this issue cannot be ignored. The impact on our area would be devastating and disruptive to our existing road networks, farms, homes, businesses, forests, wildlife, and watersheds.”

Clarke also told commissioners Thursday evening that a public forum held at Tri-County Community College on Aug. 18 was attended by approximately 300 area residents who were very much against I-3. “Public sentiment is against the road,” he stated. In addition, many public officials, including US Representative Charles Taylor, US Senator Elizabeth Dole, and NC Senator John Snow, have all voiced their disapproval, according to Clarke.

Clarke’s main argument against the interstate is that it would end the way of life as we know it in the mountains. “Consider the impact on the culture...on the wildlife. We would no longer be a rural county.” Clarke added that I-3 would be a total disruption of life as we know it in Clay County.

Clarke also cited a study done by the federal government as to the impact of interstates on rural counties. Clarke said the study showed no economic benefits were gained by rural counties when an interstate was constructed.

“Jobs have gone to Mexico and China because of labor costs not roads,” he theorized.

No formal action was taken by the Commission concerning the interstate.

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