Longmeadow project pointless

We are writing in opposition to the construction of Longmeadow Parkway, formerly the Bolz Road Bridge, by Kane County. This project will drain our wallets, damage our environment and replace the tranquillity of our neighborhoods with the roar of diesel trucks, while serving no purpose and providing no benefit.

Proponents of the bridge say that it will reduce current congestion on the existing Fox River bridges. However, the very detailed traffic studies done by KDOT clearly show that a bridge south of Algonquin will do nothing to reduce current congestion. The environmental consequences of the road and bridge will be severe. It will destroy large swathes of open space, imperil wildlife habitat and transform a section of pristine riverfront. It will bring noise, air pollution and damaging salt spray to our neighborhoods.

Proponents of the bridge say that it will serve future growth. However, CMAP, our regional planning agency recently published data showing that growth in the region has virtually stopped. CMAP does not site specific reasons, but many believe that our heavy and increasing tax burden is a key reason that people are leaving, or no longer moving here.

When all costs are considered, including engineering and bond interest, the project will cost $200 million. Tolls will not cover its cost. We believe it is wrong to build an expensive project that offers no benefit when our existing infrastructure is crumbling and our tax burden is increasing.

We hope others will join us in opposition to this wasteful, pointless project. Our website, stoplongmeadow.com presents factual information about the project. It is our attempt to counter the propaganda coming from KDOT.

Ed Fagan

Barrington Hills

Gary Swick

Elgin

and seven others from Algonquin, Carpentersville and West Dundee