24 replies to this topic

[jungletobacco]

Some guy named John Dasher who is running for govenor, has proposed an insterstate 22! Saying that the interstate 3 and 14 doesnt serves Georgia like we think it will.I-22 Proposal

[andremurra]

That is the dumbest thing I have ever seen in my life. Im pretty sure giving Sandersville an interstate isnt going to boost the economy of our state too much, or make the populated areas any more navigatable. People are weird. CITIES people - not towns! Lets get the PEOPLE (not cow pastures) connected to each other... commerce, not agriculture. I mean, have you ever got stuck behind farm tractor using a highway? Yes it happens too.

Perhaps East GA and the Coastal Empire should succede from the state and create our state thingie. Every politician from Atlanta or outside of our region just continues to ignore us although we are one of the major economic engines of Georgia.

Edited by andremurra, 19 October 2006 - 12:37 AM.

[rtkenmore]

Is this guy for real?  Doesn't he know that I-22 is already assigned to the future Memphis-Birmingham portion of the Memphis-Atlanta route?  There are signs already up in Alabama and Mississippi that state "Future Interstate 22".

And this is the guy running for Governor of Georgia???  (I stand corrected.  After reading further, I see that he failed in his attempt to run for governor.  I can't imagine why.)

And besides, what he's proposing might as well be a bypass for the entire Atlanta Metro.  It's absolutely crazy.

Edited by rtkenmore, 19 October 2006 - 09:26 AM.

[Buckley]

He has the right idea, sort of.  Take the theoretical interstate from Huntsville/Memphis through Rome to Gainesville to Athens to Augusta to Savannah and tie it in with I 95.  That would be a useful route.  It would serve a bypass for ATL tie a number of important GA cities together and ultimately connect to the port of Savannah.

[Pillsbury]

^ Can it get me to the beach in an hour and a half?   I don't really care about anything else.....

[Rardy]

Buckley, on Oct 19 2006, 11:05 AM, said:

He has the right idea, sort of.  Take the theoretical interstate from Huntsville/Memphis through Rome to Gainesville to Athens to Augusta to Savannah and tie it in with I 95.  That would be a useful route.  It would serve a bypass for ATL tie a number of important GA cities together and ultimately connect to the port of Savannah.

1. I-22 connects Memphis and Birmingham, not Huntsville
2. Not theoretical -- already signed in places; only metro Birmingham left to go construction-wise

This Dasher guy sounds like a nut!

[jungletobacco]

interstate 22 is not going to happen, but will interstate 3 & 14 ever happen? "interstate 22" did touch alot of GA towns but to no offense those towns were not going to solve the urban sprawl and cummute traffic that dwells in Atlanta.

[Buckley]

Rardy, on Oct 19 2006, 02:20 PM, said:

1. I-22 connects Memphis and Birmingham, not Huntsville
2. Not theoretical -- already signed in places; only metro Birmingham left to go construction-wise

Actually, I was talking about a theoretical freeway, not the incomplete highway from Memphis to BHM.

[912]

Dasher's bio states he's from Dalton.  His I-22 route appears to go through, amongst other cities.....Dalton.

Hmmm......

[davidals]

rtkenmore, on Oct 19 2006, 09:22 AM, said:

Is this guy for real?  Doesn't he know that I-22 is already assigned to the future Memphis-Birmingham portion of the Memphis-Atlanta route?  There are signs already up in Alabama and Mississippi that state "Future Interstate 22".

And this is the guy running for Governor of Georgia???  (I stand corrected.  After reading further, I see that he failed in his attempt to run for governor.  I can't imagine why.)

And besides, what he's proposing might as well be a bypass for the entire Atlanta Metro.  It's absolutely crazy.

Well you're right, but there are about to be two unconnected I-66's (one in Virginia, one in Kentucky), there are already two unconnected I-74's (don't get me started), and the logic and original intent behind the entire system seems to be going down the tubes.  With the right political screaming, every county can have its' interstate, and the money will come from somewhere I guess.

[aboutmetro]

Portions of I-22 have begun to open in northwest Alabama.  The Governer has established a commission to work together to capitalize on the economic development opportunities in the areas served by the freeway.  Eastern Alabama and Georgia interests are promoting the idea of extending the Interstate to Georgia's coast, probably at Brunswick to take advantage of growing International shipping through the ports and enhance South-to-Midwest economic development opportunities.

[Spartan]

Why does there need to be an interstate there? Hwy 82 acts as an interstate through most of South Georgia already.

[ATLman1]

Spartan, on Jan 28 2008, 10:57 PM, said:

Why does there need to be an interstate there? Hwy 82 acts as an interstate through most of South Georgia already.

That is a perfect place for an interstate. It is one of the best proposals yet. It opens up the entire southern portion of Georgia as well as giving Columbus, Birmingham, and Memphis direct access to a large port. To me, this should be done first.

[poohsfolks]

ATLman1, on Jan 29 2008, 07:25 AM, said:

That is a perfect place for an interstate. It is one of the best proposals yet. It opens up the entire southern portion of Georgia as well as giving Columbus, Birmingham, and Memphis direct access to a large port. To me, this should be done first.

I'm not sure how this improves port access for Birmingham (or Memphis, which already has the fourth largest inland port in the country).  There's currently interstate access via Atlanta and Macon to the port in Savannah.  The two facilities there include North America’s largest single-terminal container facility.  Aside from their automobile and agri-bulk facilities, nothing in Brunswick sets it ahead of Savannah in terms of general trade.  The distance from Birmingham to Brunswick doesn't look appreciably different than Birmingham to Savannah.  

My personal opinion...  As for Columbus, an interstate connection between there and Macon (I-16 anybody?), or even the proposed I-185 extension south to I-10, make more sense and should be of greater concern.

[ATLman1]

poohsfolks, on Jan 29 2008, 10:21 AM, said:

I'm not sure how this improves port access for Birmingham (or Memphis, which already has the fourth largest inland port in the country).  There's currently interstate access via Atlanta and Macon to the port in Savannah.  The two facilities there include North America’s largest single-terminal container facility.  Aside from their automobile and agri-bulk facilities, nothing in Brunswick sets it ahead of Savannah in terms of general trade.  The distance from Birmingham to Brunswick doesn't look appreciably different than Birmingham to Savannah.  

My personal opinion...  As for Columbus, an interstate connection between there and Macon (I-16 anybody?), or even the proposed I-185 extension south to I-10, make more sense and should be of greater concern.

How can I-22 not be a good idea? It gives Georgia another east-west interstate which is greatly needed. This would open up many cities to new development opportunities. Columbus deserves this connection as well as Albany and the other cities that it would pass thru. The southern portion of Georgia is underserved when it comes to interstates. That loop around Columbus looks awesome! I can't imagine what this will do for Columbus is it is built.

[j.midtown]

poohsfolks, on Jan 29 2008, 11:21 AM, said:

I'm not sure how this improves port access for Birmingham (or Memphis, which already has the fourth largest inland port in the country).  There's currently interstate access via Atlanta and Macon to the port in Savannah.  The two facilities there include North America's largest single-terminal container facility.  Aside from their automobile and agri-bulk facilities, nothing in Brunswick sets it ahead of Savannah in terms of general trade.  The distance from Birmingham to Brunswick doesn't look appreciably different than Birmingham to Savannah.  

My personal opinion...  As for Columbus, an interstate connection between there and Macon (I-16 anybody?), or even the proposed I-185 extension south to I-10, make more sense and should be of greater concern.

Birmingham also has direct interstate access to the growing Port of Mobile, the 11th largest port in the US which is currently adding significant new container handling capacity (currently handles a huge amounts of bulk/breakbulk shipping). Additionally, I understand the Alabama auto plants rely on air cargo for a lot of parts import, and they are served by both ATL and HSV, which is growing to be a significant cargo airport.

[gah]

poohsfolks, on Jan 29 2008, 10:21 AM, said:

I'm not sure how this improves port access for Birmingham (or Memphis, which already has the fourth largest inland port in the country).  There's currently interstate access via Atlanta and Macon to the port in Savannah.  The two facilities there include North America’s largest single-terminal container facility.  Aside from their automobile and agri-bulk facilities, nothing in Brunswick sets it ahead of Savannah in terms of general trade.  The distance from Birmingham to Brunswick doesn't look appreciably different than Birmingham to Savannah.  

My personal opinion...  As for Columbus, an interstate connection between there and Macon (I-16 anybody?), or even the proposed I-185 extension south to I-10, make more sense and should be of greater concern.

If given a choice between traffic to and from Memphis-B'Ham and the Ga coast via

being funnelled thru Atlanta on I-20, or

I-22 which avoids the Atlanta gridlock

which sounds preferable?  

Brunswick is on the rise as a port.  Furthermore, the Fall Line Freeway can serve as connection between Columbus and Savannah until I-16 extended (or !-14 built)

That said -- the solution is obvious.  Build them ALL!  Columbus needs interstate connection to FLA panhandle, Macon, Augusta, Ga. coast, Montgomery (and points west) and B'ham (and points northwest)

[Spartan]

ATLman1, on Jan 29 2008, 10:31 AM, said:

How can I-22 not be a good idea? It gives Georgia another east-west interstate which is greatly needed. This would open up many cities to new development opportunities. Columbus deserves this connection as well as Albany and the other cities that it would pass thru. The southern portion of Georgia is underserved when it comes to interstates. That loop around Columbus looks awesome! I can't imagine what this will do for Columbus is it is built.

Connecting Columbus to Birmingham does have some merit, but that alone is not enough. Brunswick is not a significant port, and Columbus is pretty far away. I'm not sure how much they would benefit from this.

As for the loop- have you seen Atlanta ourside of ther perimeter? SPRAWL is all you will get from a loop. That is a well proven fact. If you build in connectivity into your local road network you will achieve more than you would with a circumferential interstate.

[gah]

Spartan, on Jan 29 2008, 07:23 PM, said:

Connecting Columbus to Birmingham does have some merit, but that alone is not enough. Brunswick is not a significant port, and Columbus is pretty far away. I'm not sure how much they would benefit from this.

As for the loop- have you seen Atlanta ourside of ther perimeter? SPRAWL is all you will get from a loop. That is a well proven fact. If you build in connectivity into your local road network you will achieve more than you would with a circumferential interstate.

actually Brunswick IS a farly significant port (esp for auto import) AND is becoming more significant all the time.  Not a Savannah or Jaxville -- yet,  But connecting it to midwest (via Columbus) can only be a huge benefit.  Columbus to Brunswick is about same distance as Columbus to Savannah.  as for benefit to Columbus, connecting Ft Benning to port(s) and to Ft Stewart woud be a really economic boost.  

As for loop, doubt Atlanta experience would be repeated -- for this reason.  Ft Benning will be a  barrier to sprawl on he south and Harris County a barrier to sprawl on the north.  So not much close in land avaialble for sprawl.  Development therefore mostly to Marion and Talbot Counties (on Ga side) -- which counties could use it.  Not sprawl there,but simply filling in large empty spaces.  Loop would therefore be used for intended purpose of routing thru traffic around the city, as opposed to magnet for sprawl.  At least that would be the hope

[aboutmetro]

gah, on Jan 29 2008, 07:45 PM, said:

actually Brunswick IS a farly significant port (esp for auto import) AND is becoming more significant all the time.  Not a Savannah or Jaxville -- yet,  But connecting it to midwest (via Columbus) can only be a huge benefit.  Columbus to Brunswick is about same distance as Columbus to Savannah.  as for benefit to Columbus, connecting Ft Benning to port(s) and to Ft Stewart woud be a really economic boost.  

As for loop, doubt Atlanta experience would be repeated -- for this reason.  Ft Benning will be a  barrier to sprawl on he south and Harris County a barrier to sprawl on the north.  So not much close in land avaialble for sprawl.  Development therefore mostly to Marion and Talbot Counties (on Ga side) -- which counties could use it.  Not sprawl there,but simply filling in large empty spaces.  Loop would therefore be used for intended purpose of routing thru traffic around the city, as opposed to magnet for sprawl.  At least that would be the hope

To piggy back on gah's statements...

According to the Georgia Ports Authority, Brunswick port traffic increased 13.2% in  2006.  In fact, GA ports had a record year that year.  

It's not all about economic development for Columbus. I suspect counties at I-75 like Colquit or Cook would benefit most.  However, if the I-185 extenstion south and north via a western segment of Atlanta's Outer Perimiter, then Columbus area would be in an excellent postition. Regardless, Lee County, AL would probably be a natural winner with an I-22 extension.  

Regarding the Benning Bypass. That loop spur is roughly twice the size of Atlanta's perimeter.  Sprawl is not necessarily a four-letter word.  Atlanta has grown to an international economic powerhouse.  It's outward growth, though not done smartly, contributed to that. Creating loops smartly, like the suggested I-222 Benning Bypass, can initiate economic growth in metro counties that need it, and allow others to maximize their growth.