The idea that Tennessee needs a poverty diversion road today in 2010 as it did in 1965 is nothing short of ludicrous. And, also there are many of us who are totally against the building of Corridor K between Cleveland/Bradley County and Polk County.
The ruination of scenic beauty, wildlife habitats and tourist recreation for a measly two-minute increase of two minutes to drive to Cleveland, Tn., is outrageous.
The rock slide took care of "truckers curve" and who's to say that if Corridor K were to be built that there would not be any rock slides there as well?
Richard and Gale Adler
Copperhill, Tn.
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We who live in the eastern part of Polk County aren't so much interested in saving the two minutes that the Adlers refer to as we are eliminating the two hours it takes to drive around te rock slides. I bet if they had to ride an ambulance two extra hours to get to a good hospital they would change their minds.
The two and a half million dollars it is taking to clean up the mess of two rock slides would have gone a long way toward making the new road through the mountains. To heck with the flowers, the snail darters and the animals. They will survive as they always have.
The 15 mile curve has been straightened out a little and that surely will help, but there are other bad curves too. Corridar K will not save two minutes as they said, but will save several minutes. Also it could save lives and lots of trouble for the sheriff's department, state highway patrol and ambulance service. I have personally seen a truck take the side out of a motor home it met in a bad curve on the existing road. I have had my rear view mirrow taken off by an 18-wheeler in one of the bad curves. My brother-in-law almost got his eyes put out when an 18-wheeler took the rear mirrow off the 18-wheeler he was driving when they met in one of the curves.
Yes, we need Corridor K and we need it now.
Max Payne
Copperhill, Tn.
maxpayne@etcmail.com