I-3 Concerns

Greetings:

I went to a "town hall" meeting last night in Young Harris where US Congressman Paul Broun made a short talk and led a longer Q&A. The Q&A session was open to any subject and many subjects were discussed. However, the most important subject to me and many others there was the proposed I-3 interstate. Dr. Broun gave us an update and specific recommendation on what to do if you want to help stop I-3.

First, the update: The study is not a proposal, it is a law. It is definitely going to happen and soon (within days). And right now the only route that will be studied is the one through Hiawassee and the GA mountains. During the Q&A, I learned that there are other options that all localities affected would agree to and want due to likely economic development that would occur to these communities. I also learned that, according to Dr. Broun, no one is really in favor of the route through the N GA mountains, except the deceased Charlie Norwood who originally proposed this route. Dr. Broun speculated about some nuclear material transportation advantages of the N GA mountain route, but in his opinion and many others, there really is no advantage to this route for this purpose.

Ultimately, Dr. Broun does not believe I-3 will ever be built through the NGA mountains and seems to lament the vast waste of money to study a route that will never happen. But he and probably all of us realize that an interstate doing a better job of connecting Savannah/Augusta to the NE corridor will happen sooner or later, so we still need to be vigilant on where this monster is finally routed.

In terms of what we can do as concerned citizens, Dr. Broun had a specific suggestion. He and some other legislative colleagues have proposed a "technical correction to the 2005 Federal Highway Bill". This means that the request or correction to the study is to also consider other possible routes instead of the proposed "Norwood" route that cuts through our beautiful mountains.

It's crunch time now. This is the last opportunity to impact the focus of the study where other routes may be considered. Otherwise, they will only consider the Norwood route in the study. Remember the study is going to happen because it is beyond a proposal and is a law now. Best regards… Hilty Burr

Dear Senator Chambliss:

I am relieved to hear you say that the actual routes of the interstates are still uncertain and open for debate. I think that is the key to the whole controversy. I understand that these interstates will most likely be built and there are economic stimulation needs you are trying to address, but please consider Dr. Broun's proposal to expand the possible routes being considered in the study. According to him, DOT is limited by law to consider only the route that goes through the pristine north GA mountains right through Hiawassee and other mountain and lake resort towns (Norwood proposal). Dr. Broun's proposal allows other less expensive and less controversial routes to be considered. That makes sense, shows due diligence and displays a sensitivity to all your constituents concerns.

Again thank you for your service to our country and I appreciate your timely response.

Sincerely yours, J. Hilty H. Burr Sr. DVM Lake Chatuge Animal Hospital Young Harris, GA

Dear Dr. Burr :

Thank you for contacting me about the possibility of two new interstates through Georgia. It's good to hear from you .

Congress passed the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill, which included $2 . 64 million in funding to study whether it was feasible and advantageous to build two new interstates through Georgia .

While the actual routes of the interstates ar e still uncertain and open for debate, the goal is to connect Savannah and Knoxville, Tennessee, via I-3 (named for Georgia's Third Infantry Division), and to connect Augusta and Natchez, Mississippi, via I-14 .

It is clear that there are many areas of Geo rgia and the Southeast that remain largely isolated from the economic expansion that has transformed parts of the region over the last four decades . Given that 80% of jobs in the U . S . are located within 10 miles of an interstate highway, I am convinced th at these interstates will improve transportation and boost economic development throughout the region .

While there are communities that fully support the economic development opportunities that a new intestate would bring to their area, there is bound to be opposition to any project of this magnitude . Funding for this study is an important step in gathering the data necessary to make an informed decision on the future of the region .

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me . As always, I appreci ate hearing from you . In the meantime if you would like to receive timely email alerts regarding the latest Congressional actions and my weekly e-newsletter, please sign up via my web site at: www.chambliss. senate. gov. Responding to your message, Senator Chambliss

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