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Don't Halve Hardin

Because of a very real traffic congestion problem in Knoxville area, the necessity of finding a solution is obvious. Also obvious is that, in a project like this, many strong interests will be at play. But ignoring the future development of West Knoxville, the choosing of Orange Beltway can be considered at best rushed and nearsighted.

Contrary to its claimed purpose, I do not believe that the proposed project will significantly reduce traffic congestion along I-40/I-75 in Knox County. The bypass that circles downtown Atlanta, I-285, has contributed to the mushrooming suburban sprawl and monstrous traffic north of that city, and Nashville's beltway has had similar effects.

Building new highways actually causes, not relieves, traffic congestion in Cincinnati and other major U.S. metropolitan areas, according to a new study presented to the Annual Transportation Research Board in Washington, D.C. The study also says that the traffic congestion would have grown less rapidly if no new highways were built at all, contrary to what highway planners have predicted.

Comparison of the estimated I-75/I-40 average daily traffic levels at Papermill Road found in the proposed Route 475 Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Orange, Green, Blue and No Build Alternatives shows the beltway only having a 7-9 percent reduction in traffic for 2005 and 5-9 percent reduction in 2025. Less than 10 percent change in traffic volume should be considered to be a marginal impact, and when compared to the total estimated cost of the project, $254-$412 million, a very poor return on investment.

Furthermore, I do not believe that the Orange Beltway would offer any regional benefit to this area. The use of more transit, more efficient operation of existing road systems and modification of traveler behavior to accommodate more demand are examples of transportation choices that could readily produce a similar, if not improved, reduction in traffic volume at significantly lower cost to the taxpayer, environment and community.

The Orange Beltway would bisect Hardin Valley in its entirety. This is the last unspoiled area in Knox County, uncluttered (so far) by the omnipresent power lines, railroads, highways, billboards, dumping sites and unsightly industries so familiar to residents of surrounding areas. Hardin Valley managed to retain its pastoral character, offering a tremendous potential for small scale residential development, college and office business.

The construction of 475 Orange Beltway will bring to an abrupt end the sense of community and quality of life enjoyed by Hardin Valley's residents. The impact of the noise, pollution, traffic problems and the adjacent facilities inherent to such a project will virtually not only destroy a significant area of our environment, but will also brutally disrupt the lives of thousands of families.

If people are tired of being stuck in sprawl mall traffic, we need to promote smarter planning and increase travel choices, not just build more highways. More roads lead to more traffic like bigger pants tend to lead to more weight gain.

We need to change our philosophy to reduce, not increase, sprawl and traffic. A new beltway would only create development that fosters more demand and generates additional travel.

Alecsandra Popescu
Knoxville

Great Scott!

If you take a gander yonder at the staff listing in the masthead, you'll notice a prominent change this week: the arrival of our new managing editor, Mr. Scott McNutt. (Former managing editor and grizzled veteran Barry Henderson has been kicked upstairs to senior editor.) Regular Metro Pulse readers will already be familiar with Scott's name thanks to his monthly "Snarls" humor column and assorted other writing he has done for us over the years. What you might not know is that Scott is also a genuine professional writer and editor, having served for many years as marketing director for a local engineering consulting firm. Moreover, he has demonstrated repeatedly the key qualifications for full-time employment at Metro Pulse: a love of our temperamental little paper, an innate irascibility (not to say general grumpiness), and an astounding capacity for beer consumption. In his new role, Scott will be responsible for much of the day-to-day oversight of editorial operations here, including holding our staff writers and freelancers to their deadlines. We wish him luck. He'll need it. Fortunately for his fans, he will continue to write "Snarls," although any further columns about incompetent bosses will be subject to strict scrutiny. If you have any questions for Scott (such as, "Are you out of your mind?"), you can reach him at [email protected]. For ourselves, all we can say is, welcome, Scott! We're happy you're here.

—The Editor