Once again, the Rome News-Tribune heavily edited (cut down) a rebuttal letter and we wanted to share a similar version that’s making the rounds – in its entirety.

The letter (from a resident in Cartersville) is in response to the paper throwing its blind support behind GDOT Board Member David Doss’ reelection.  Keep in the mind, a higher-up at the paper was only David Doss’ best man in his wedding.  Notice how the critical points about the paper were removed, how it was nearly cut in half, etc.

Complete letter

Dear Editor,

In the column, “Keep Doss in driver’s seat,” the paper claimed the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (and State Transportation Board Member David Doss’) proposed design, Route D-VE, for the U.S. 411 Connector is “a path far more useful to Romans than the alternatives.”

More useful?

Since when is it useful to travel 2.5 miles longer (essentially paralleling I-75) than other routes? Attempting to navigate a complicated and dangerous interchange at SR 20 and I-75 does not sound useful either.

Studies by experts indicate the “atypical” jughandle interchange for Route D-VE at I-75 will increase congestion and traffic jams on I-75, thus increasing overall travel time. Traffic will not flow freely from the connector onto I-75 or vice versa; rather, traffic will have to pass through (and likely stop at) two to three traffic signals, at least.

By comparison, more efficient, shorter routes (such as Route G) would permit an interchange to allow seamless entrance and exit from I-75 while keeping up speed. No traffic signals would be necessary and traffic congestion and accidents would be avoided.

Also, the paper failed to disclose Route D-VE’s interchange will be impacted by GDOT’s proposed alignment of the Atlanta to Chattanooga High Speed Ground Transportation (HSGT) project. GDOT’s positioning of the full service rail stop, parking lots, etc. at SR 20 and I-75 will only create additional traffic congestion and travel delays at the connector’s interchange.

Further, having the connector bogged down in litigation for approximately 10 years is far from useful, as traffic and construction costs will increase during that time period. In 1993, landowners successfully stopped a similar route in court on a litany of federal regulatory issues and it has been reported they are planning to do it again.

Unfortunately, it appears to those of us who are not insiders that GDOT and this paper’s editorial board are more concerned about proving a point, than actually finding and supporting the most useful route for motorists.

Here’s what the paper published – see below. Notice the difference?

Connector plans bogging down

By comparison, more efficient, shorter routes (such as Route G) would permit an interchange to allow seamless entrance and exit from I-75 while keeping up speed. No traffic signals would be necessary and traffic congestion and accidents would be avoided.

Route D-VE’s interchange will be impacted by GDOT’s proposed alignment of the Atlanta to Chattanooga High Speed Ground Transportation (HSGT) project. GDOT’s positioning of the full service rail stop, parking lots, etc. at SR 20 and I-75 will only create additional traffic congestion and travel delays at the connector’s interchange.

Having the connector bogged down in litigation for 10 years is far from useful, as traffic and construction costs will increase during that time. In 1993, landowners successfully stopped a similar route in court on a litany of federal regulatory issues and they are planning to do it again.