I just discovered www.stopI3.org. There is a proposal for an interstate highway connecting Savannah, GA to Knoxville, TN. The route, whatever it would end up being would go straight through the middle of the southern Appalachians in north Georgia and western North Carolina. This would cross the Appalachian Trail, probably multiple times.
This area is luckily free of any such major highway and a swath of land “3 and a half football fields wide” winding through it would be devastating. The runnoff from the construction would foul the rivers. The air pollution and the noise, not to mention the visual impact would be significant to say the least. My heart sinks and my blood curdles just to think of it. Just think of the pristine views from places like Wesser Bald, Gregory Bald and so many others. There may be some roads and towns visible, but a huge white ribbon of concrete would alter the beauty of these views so much. The route would likely go through the Nantahala Gorge and the Little Tennessee Gorge on the Southwestern border of the Smokies. Can you imagine an interstate there?? I can, but it doesn’t feel good to do so.
So, if you haven’t heard about this and feel like I do about this, check out www.stopI3.org. Peace and may we be blessed with persistence and fortitude in the face of this.
Also, look at www.northshoreroad.info if you haven’t already…
zach attack