Here
are some important points to emphasize:
Our
major concern is the fact that present GDOT plans call for Martin Road to be
widened after Exit 14 is opened.
It could be five years or more before Martin Road is widened after Exit
14 opens. This does not make sense and
is just not acceptable.
While
we are not transportation experts or engineers, we believe that we do have good
common sense. Common sense tells us that
we do not build Exit 14 and five years later, widen Martin Road. Frankly, we are not convinced that Exit 14 is
needed. We do know that we do not want a
major throughway through our residential neighborhood.
In
2014, the GHMPO did a district survey about transportation construction
priorities. The published result of the
survey showed Martin Road widening #7 and Exit 14 #9. The Martin Road Association was relieved to
know that it would be widened first.
However, at the public GDOT meeting on March 8, 2016 we discovered that
the priorities to widen Martin Road first have now been reversed. This is what has caused our opposition to
Exit 14.
The
city of Oakwood wants this exit to develop it tax base, not to improve traffic. We have offered a suggestion to revise the
Exit 14 project, which would resolve our issue and compromise with those who
want to develop the area. Our suggestion
is to have a one lane over pass from the north lane of I-985 to HF Reed
Industrial Pkwy with on/off ramps on the north side only. It would cut the cost of Exit 14 and
eliminate the need for the additional 46 million tax payer dollars to widen
Martin Road.
If
Exit 14 is constructed, it will be the only exit on I-985 that does not exit
onto a highway. Exit 14 would exit into
a residential neighborhood with five housing developments, many private homes, a school, two churches, a county community center and some businesses.
Exit
14 and Martin Road where originally one project. Indeed, one without the other does not make
sense. It would be interesting to know
why the two were separated; can anyone tell us why? In any case, the Martin Road residents have
come out on the short end. It is our
understanding that we have a government of the people and for the people; not
one of big government for big government.
We are also concerned about the priority of tax payer funds being used for this project when everyone in the area knows that there is a much greater need to widen Spout Spring Road. Why spend 36 million for a diamond exit which is not needed and 46 million to widening Martin Road in our residential neighborhood that is not needed or wanted? Shouldn’t common sense prevail?
We will continue to pursue the suggestion from the GDOT that the GHMPO and our County Commissioners work to extend the project until funds can be made available to complete the widening of Martin Road first and then open Exit 14. It is our understanding that it is up to our local Hall County Commission, locally elected officials and the GHMPO to make this adjustment.
We
call on the GHMPO and all public officials to help us find a solution to this
situation.
Email us at martinroadfirst@yahoo.com for updates and/or more information.
We assure you that we will not make your name or email address public.
