Letters sent to KTC in Protest of I-66
I am firmly opposed to the Appalachian Corridor Segment of the proposed I-66 highway between US 23 south of Pikeville and the King Coal Highway in West Virginia. This is an uncomprehensible WASTE of land, money, and environmental resources that will most certainly adversely affect our environment, quality of life, and taxes by placing those unnecessary burdens on present and future generations. Kentucky has a lot of catching up to do educationly, environmentaly, and economically. It makes no sense to squander billions of dollars on an expensive unneeded highway segment when untold miles of existing roadway are in need of repair and are not properly maintained. Try thinking outside the box, it seems wiser to iimprove current roads as needed instead of building new ones. This would benefit more people for less money thereby saving state resources to address other essential services that make a real difference in everyones' quality of life. Return sanity to decision making by choosing the NO BUILD option. We can not afford this proposed I-66 welfare program for land speculators and highway contractors. NO BUILD is the only logical or viable alternative when all factors are honestly considered and evaluated. The federal government has determined I-66 unjustifiable and has no plans for a coast to coast highway through Kentucky or elsewhere. Now it's time for the state to concur with their wise conclusion. Because this project wastes land, tax dollars, and will adversely affect the environment by increasing noise, air, and water pollution as it creates new problems. Remember a paved-over and heavily polluted state that over-burdens taxpayers to fund pork projects is neither sought out or desirable as a place to live or visit.
Having reviewed the Final EIS, I believe this project is a total waste of taxpayers� money. I-66 is an illegally segmented proposed coast-to-coast highway that is a WASTE of Kentucky's FARMS - FORESTS - FUNDS - FAMILIES - FUTURE. During this time of required fiscal responsibility, it is shocking that this I-66 project has not been killed off by some responsible legislators. The price of the proposed 33-mile I-66 segment between US 23 in KY and the proposed King Coal Highway in WVA has more than doubled, from $735 million in 1997 to $1.6 billion today. At $42 million a mile, this has to be the most expensive highway ever built. "Megaprojects" coming to a neighborhood near you: Nationwide, if the highway industry and big transportation engineering firms get their way, this country is about to embark on a wave of highway "megaprojects"--highway projects exceeding $1 billion in cost. Until recently there's only been a handful, but there are now more than 50 planned across the country to the tune of $100 billion. How are we going to pay for all this new concrete? The national highway industry is proposing to raise gas taxes to support this unprecedented splurge on road building. Megaprojects require a Financial Plan before construction. This is a detailed plan that identifies where the money is going to come from, what the risks to the public are if cost overruns occur or the funding sources dry up, what other projects won't get done if the megaproject is pursued, etc. Ask the KY Transportation Cabinet: Where is the Financial Plan for the Pikeville to King Coal Highway project? Looks like a scam, waddles like a scam, and quacks like a scam: At the "decision to build" stage (end of the NEPA process), the cost estimate is very incomplete and the state truly has no idea where the money is going to come from. You can bet that $1.6 billion in one I-66 segment could easily become $2 billion, or more. A summer 2002 article in the Journal of the American Planning Association reviewed transportation projects for the past 90 years and concludes that initial cost estimates are deliberately understated to get projects going and to get momentum. This professional article actually says project proponents lie about costs and use "salami tactics" showing project risks and costs "one slice at a time" to make costs appear as low as possible for as long as possible. Last July, the Virginia State Auditor audited Virginia�s DOT books and found its 6-yr highway plan a "wish list" since VDOT "promises to build roads without knowing whether it has the money to pay for them," that the state does not track maintenance costs for its highways and instead guesses how much maintenance money they'll spend each year, that there is no accountability for cost overruns, etc. The state, in response and with support of the Governor, cut $3 billion from its 6-yr. highway plan. Where is the Kentucky State Auditor? And how are they going to pay for the NEXT segment? The 43-mile stretch of proposed I-66 from Somerset to London is already estimated to cost an average of $22 million/mile. Statewide, the I-66 project, which will stretch 420 miles from WVA to Pikeville across Kentucky to Paducah and westward to MO, is estimated to cost $5 billion or more. Studies have shown that pre-construction estimates are generally 20% below the actual cost of the project. Several I-66 segments across KY are in the planning stages. How are these going to be paid for? Who will benefit? Officials claim that I-66 will bring economic development and jobs to Appalachia and the rest of Kentucky, but with I-75, I-64 and I-40, another interstate is not needed in this region of the country. There is no proof that building this road will improve the economy. The London Sentinel-Echo reported recently that tourism has increased in this region in the past two years. That has been accomplished without a $5 billion dollar road. This Federal money could be much better spent elsewhere. This road will only benefit campaign contributors: road construction companies, consultants, and land speculators. They have known for years that I-66 is not financially feasible! The 1997 Feasibility Study/Justification for I-66 and subsequent reports fail to justify the need or financial feasibility of I-66 in Kentucky. The inadequacy of the consultants to use up-to-date economic models, accurate statistics and commonly-held community values in determining whether or not I-66 is in the best interest of all Kentucky residents should trigger the suspension of all further planning work until the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet can demonstrate that this project is financially feasible and economically justifiable.
In reviewing the FEIS for the Appalachian Corridor (I-66) I was surprised to see an assertion that there have been no areas of controversy identified and no controversial issues raised by the public. As a Kentuckian, I am concerned about the cost for this highway, how the highway will be financed, the necessity for another interstate through this region, and the effects it will have on the Daniel Boone National Forest and Mammoth Cave National Park, other surface and subterranean natural wonders, and the traditional, healthy human communities that are in jeopardy of extinction if I-66 is built. I understand that the price of the proposed 33-mile I-66 segment between US 23 in KY and the proposed King Coal Highway in WVA has more than doubled, from $735 million in 1997 to $1.6 billion today, making it a "Megaproject" at a hefty $42 million a mile. Megaprojects require a Financial Plan before construction, identifying where the money is going to come from, what the risks to the public are if cost overruns occur or the funding sources dry up, and what other projects won't get done if the megaproject is pursued. Where is the Financial Plan for the Pikeville to King Coal Highway project? Furthermore, by designing the proposed I-66 in segments, with each segment costing in the millions, where will funding for the other segments come from? The 43-mile stretch of proposed I-66 from Somerset to London is already estimated to cost an average of $22 million/mile. A summer 2002 article in the Journal of the American Planning Association reviewed transportation projects for the past 90 years and concludes that initial cost estimates are deliberately understated to get projects going and to get momentum. This professional article says project proponents use "salami tactics" showing project risks and costs "one slice at a time" to make costs appear as low as possible for as long as possible. Statewide, the I-66 project which will stretch 420 miles from WVA to Pikeville across Kentucky to Paducah and westward to MO, is estimated to cost $5 billion or more. Studies have shown that pre-construction estimates are generally 20% below the actual cost of the project. Several I-66 segments across KY are in the planning stages. How are these going to be paid for? Officials claim that I-66 will bring economic development and jobs to Appalachia and the rest of Kentucky, but with I-75, I-64 and I-40, another interstate is not needed in this region of the country. There is no proof that building this road will improve the economy. The London Sentinel-Echo reported recently that tourism has increased in this region in the past two years. That has been accomplished without a $5 billion dollar road. This Federal money could be much better spent elsewhere. The 1997 Feasibility Study/Justification for I-66 and subsequent reports fail to justify the need or financial feasibility of I-66 in Kentucky. The inadequacy of the consultants to use up-to-date economic models, accurate statistics and commonly-held community values in determining whether or not I-66 is in the best interest of all Kentucky residents should trigger the suspension of all further planning work until the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet can demonstrate that this project is financially feasible and economically justifiable. Thank you for your consideration of this matter which affects all Kentuckians.
It is shocking that the I-66 project has not been killed off by responsible legislators during this time of financial desperation. The price of the proposed 33-mile I-66 segment between US 23 in KY and the proposed King Coal Highway in WVA has more than doubled, from $735 million in 1997 to $1.6 billion today. That's more than Bush is giving Bechtel to rebuild Iraq's infrastructure. At $42 million a mile, this has to be the most expensive highway ever built. KICK 66 estimates that the $1.6 billion is more than enough to GOLD PLATE the entire 33-mile stretch of highway. I-66 is a waste Financial Feasibility Studies must be conducted by independent degreed economists and proof must be shown that there will be a sufficient return in this investment. Gas taxes will need to be raised to support this unprecedented splurge on road building. Kentucky residents WILL NOT support an increase in gas taxes. Megaprojects require a Financial Plan before construction; this is a detailed plan that identifies where the money is going to come from, what the risks to the public are if cost overruns occur or the funding sources dry up, what other projects won't get done if the megaproject is pursued, etc. Where is the Financial Plan for the Pikeville to King Coal Highway project? The cost estimate is very incomplete and the state truly has no idea where the money is going to come from. $1.6 billion in one I-66 segment could easily become $2 billion, or more. A summer 2002 article in the Journal of the American Planning Association reviewed transportation projects for the past 90 years and concludes that initial cost estimates are deliberately understated to get projects going and to get momentum. This professional article actually says project proponents lie about costs and use "salami tactics" showing project risks and costs "one slice at a time" to make costs appear as low as possible for as long as possible. If officials want to improve the economy in Pike County, why not just give each resident $18,000. That might be a better way to spend that $1.6 billion. Last July, the Virginia State Auditor audited Va DOT's books and found its 6-yr highway plan a "wish list" since VDOT "promises to build roads without knowing whether it has the money to pay for them," that the state does not track maintenance costs for its highways and instead guesses how much maintenance $$ they'll spend each year, that there is no accountability for cost overruns, etc. The state, in response and with support of the Governor, cut $3 billion from its 6-yr. highway plan. Where is the Kentucky State Auditor?? And how is KY going to pay for the NEXT segment? The 43-mile stretch of proposed I-66 from Somerset to London is already estimated to cost an average of $22 million/mile. Statewide, the I-66 project which will stretch 420 miles from WVA to Pikeville across Kentucky to Paducah and westward to MO, is estimated to cost $5 billion or more. Studies have shown that pre-construction estimates are generally 20% below the actual cost of the project. Several I-66 segments across KY are in the planning stages. How are these going to be paid for? Who will benefit? Officials claim that I-66 will bring economic development and jobs to Appalachia and the rest of Kentucky, but with I-75, I-64 and I-40, another interstate is not needed in this region of the country. There is no proof that building this road will improve the economy. The Coldstream Research Park and other vacant industrial sites throughout the state disprove this theory. The London Sentinel-Echo reported recently that tourism has increased in the London-Somerset region in the past two years. That has been accomplished without a $5+ billion dollar road. This Federal money could be much better spent elsewhere. This road will only benefit campaign contributors: road construction companies, consultants, and land speculators. I-66 is not needed and will NOT make travel safer. In fact, an increase of accidents will be seen if this highway is built without improving the inadequate secondary roads. Traffic studies are mentioned in the report, but the data to back up the numbers are not included. If the coal trucks need improved access in this state LET THE COAL COMPANIES PAY FOR IT!! Public comment is mentioned in the report, but the Court Reporter transcripts are not included in Appendix A of the DEIS or FEIS although the FEIS states they are. You should have known for years that I-66 is not financially feasible! The 1997 Feasibility Study/Justification for I-66 and subsequent reports fail to justify the need or financial feasibility of I-66 in Kentucky. The inadequacy of the consultants to use up-to-date economic models, accurate statistics and commonly-held community values in determining whether or not I-66 is in the best interest of all Kentucky residents should trigger the suspension of all further planning work until the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet can demonstrate that this project is financially feasible and economically justifiable. Local folks in the proposed construction corridor want to save their land, not pave it! The 314 people who attended public meetings and the 64 who voiced comments in this region prove that inadequate measures were used to inform the public about this project. I-66 WILL FURTHER DAMAGE THE ENVIRONMENT. Treasures should be protected, NOT "mitigated": The Daniel Boone National Forest and Mammoth Cave National Park, other surface and subterranean natural wonders, and the traditional, healthy human communities are in jeopardy of extinction if I-66 is built.
