Comments on: Folsom Commission Proposes New West Alabama Highway

By: Glynn Wilson

Glynn Wilson — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:58:39 +0000

I tend to agree, Tom, and play Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" still every now and then. But I figure this road makes more sense than the new beltline loop planned for Birmingham, which ought to be dead on arrival at the planner's office. I would just like to see them pick up enough right of way and funding for a high speed train running parallel. A number of ideas have floated high speed rail from Birmingham to Atlanta but go nowhere. I think the further along we get toward facing a sustainable future rail should play a role. Now, onto the video:

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:29:52 +0000

There is enough paved over everything already.

“Catching up with Atlanta” is a goal based on increasingly questionable values. Take care of what we already have including highways. Memphis to Birmingham – Atlanta travel – check out the new I-22 corridor, essentially a redux of Highway 78. Cuts out an hour in B’ham. to Memphis, in an area with only three motels in approximately 3,000 square miles. Plenty of space for fans of “development” to get to see destroyed.

By: admin

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 06:57:34 +0000

From samesther via Pam’s List:

I haven’t yet read all that’s in the Locust Fork about Folsom’s idea, but he’d sure get my vote for the road business by itself.

You can’t get to Memphis from Atlanta as it is. The road would be a wonderful asset.

HOWEVER, if Folsom is going to privatize it, I’m dead set against that monkey business. Bob Riley’s given away half of Alabama as it is.

By: jim gundlach

jim gundlach — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 04:36:41 +0000

On toll roads. Most highways are built with gas tax money. The generally poor folks in west Alabama have been paying their gas tax just like the folks in the wealthier parts of the country and don’t have the roads to show for it. Putting a toll road through here will simply be another example of making the poor pay more. They will pay for the roads for the rich with their gas taxes and then pay for the road they finally get with tolls.

By: Glynn Wilson

Glynn Wilson — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:26:36 +0000

Obviously the environmental impact is important to us, and we are already working behind the scenes to try to get amendments to this proposal to include some green initiatives, including rail.

Obviously there is a need for a new route from Memphis to Mobile on that side of the state. But considering the state of the economy and the direction the Obama administration is planning to take on alternative technologies, we are just working to make sure lawmakers in Alabama are considering those things as well.