Thanks, L_Y.

Here is what we learned from the traffic consultant. The projections that TDOT offered of no to marginal improvement in traffic after 20 years if the PPE is built were made assuming the Southern Loop also is built. They do not have any evidence about the possible effects on traffic of the PPE if the Southern Loop is not built.

This appears to mean that in order for the PPE within twenty years to have little or no positive effect on traffic, the Southern Loop will also have to exist by then. But they have no active plans to build the Southern Loop. so they say....

But it is still on the long range plan.

I'm not the same person as Local_Yokel, but I do agree that the PPE is a complete waste of tax dollars. Let's use that money to fix Sevierville Road, which I have to use daily.

I wonder how many people are tired of just rolling over and taking it? Nowadays, it's easy to forget we live in a Democracy, as policies and projects are shoved through regardless of over-whelming opposition. Last Night, although there was a big show of Asphalters, the general consensus from everyone I've spoken with, on any given day, is that they're against the PPE.

Does Blount County have a Constitution? Is there anything about elections in the Constitution? What does it take to put issues on the Ballot? If issues are put on a voting Ballot, who controls the language therein? Maybe it's time to take control of our local Government out of the hands of the few, and into the hands of the many. Would it be Constitutional to have issues such as these on the Ballot for August's or better yet, November's election? November promises to have a really large turn-out, maybe we should have local issues on that same ballot. Just giving up, seems to be too old school.

After a Field Trip to Tremont, Today, I realized that mayhaps some of the folks on our Blount County Planning Committee, Blount County Commision, and Mayor's office; have no idea about Environmental Stewardship. Maybe it's time to require everyone that sits in those seats, spend 4 days at Tremont for Stewardship Training. I don't think that would be considered Draconian, since 1/2 of the GSMNP in Tennessee resides in Blount County.

What do you think?

Concerned Citizen
Has TDOT, or any other source, ever conducted a study on the growth pattern that occurred after a loop was constructed around other cities? Such as Atlanta, GA. or Fort Lauderdale, FL.?
As someone who has driven around in both of these two areas, it is very apparent that Strip Malls and new residential developments soon follow these roadways, in turn causing a loss of revenue on the existing business owners in the downtown areas of these cities, and the newly constructed subdivision causing an impact upon the cost of infrastructure needs to meet this new growth.
Until such a study is brought forth, how can we support this new roadway, especialy since we have so many inadequate county roads in need of repair and widening/