.

Save a fish and kill yourself!

I'm already doing my part because I normally cut down a tree on Arbor Day.

Label me a card carrying Evil Conservative.

This is a serious question.

Wouldnt it have saved fuel to make all roads straight and without all of the curves? Im just talking mainly about highways.









jeezy peezy!

Jeff

Trees = renewable resource...

mydsooner,
You are correct. However, straight roads cost less to build, making the construction unions very unhappy. Straight roads reduce travel time, making the Teamsters very unhappy. There will never be straight roads in the US.

......I am currently working on a segment of the I-49 study running from Lafayette, LA. to New Orleans, and there are many many reasons why interstate roadways don't run straight. Here a just a few:

1 - environmental impacts (federally protected wetlands, etc. - these are actually very important to LA's coast),

2 - inhabitants of local communities (you just don't bulldoze everyone's home in the name of a straight roadway.....though the Corps my have a different opinion),

3 - wildlife and forestry issues (bald eagle nests - they are not going to be taken off the endangered species list),

4 - archeological issues (indian mounds, cemetaries, etc. - who wants to dig up their loved ones in the name of a straight roadway?),

5 - flood control structures (levees - these are especially important to us down here),

6 - gas/oil well structures (Exxon is a formidable opponent for any agency),

7 - some proerty owners are VERY wealthy supporters of law makers 😉,

8 - existing chemical plants/refineries (now, do we really want to open up a can of chemical waste worms?)

These a just a few of the issues surrounding the planning of an interstate roadway. Typically, these structures are funded by federal dollars (80+% match), so DOTs are looking at paying 20% of anywhere from $500M to $MegaBillions and they have to watch their budgets VERY closely.......my point, they are like penny-pinching misers rather than spend-thrifts (i.e. cheaper is much better!)

Whew! Any questions?