Pellisssippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
Great need and will help will future traffic as knoxvillle grows more towards alcoa
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
This is a project that must be removed from the DOT project list. It has been shown to not provide an improvement to the traffic flow through Blount County other than to profit Sevier County. The roadway will hurt the businesses in Alcoa and downtown Maryville by diverting away from shops and gas stations.The impact of this project will take away valuable farm land. The farms most effected are century farms which should be protected.The project serves no purposeful benefit for Blount Countians!
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
I am NOT in favor of more 4-lane pavement in this part of Blount County. I say NO to Pellissippi Pkwy extension.JTaylor
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
I would like to express my opposition to the extension of the Pellissippi Parkway through Blount County. I am a resident of Walland and commute daily to the Alcoa area, near the current end of the Pellissippi Parkway. I am exactly the group of people that TDOT is claiming to help, but I feel that this road is a terrible idea. This type of development was believed to be what was best for economic development when this idea began in the 1970s, but we have learned a great deal since then. This is old thinking and we know better. As the saying goes, "When you know better, you should do better." The economic sustainability of Blount County is based on our beauty, natural diversity, and rural nature, not on the number of convenience stores and Dollar Generals. This type of road construction, and the subsequent development that is sure to follow, will devalue the very qualities that bring people here to live or vacation and what keeps our young people from relocating when they become adults. If TDOT is continuing this project for the people of Blount County, please understand that we do not want this project running through our beautiful community.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
I do not support this project. It is not acceptable to destroy a long-term family business, to change the rural nature of Blount County, or to pollute the Little River. Using these funds to improve areas of local businesses therefore the local well-being and local economy, as well as the bicycling and pedestrian movement is a more economical and progressive plan.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
"They paved paradise and put up a four-lane highway." Please don't build this highway. Our county could be better served by fixing existing road infrastructure than embarking on this project that will only benefit Blackberry, the main proponent of the highway. Taking farmland out of production seems to go against the values of the people of this region. Why do the officials bother with branding us "The quiet side of the Smokies," if they are not interested in sustainable transportation solutions? We can grow in a smart way, not with reckless, expensive roads. The cost of this highway has been estimated to be closer to $200 million. I want my taxpayer dollars going to sustainable initiatives. Not this!
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
I am opposed to extending the Pellissippi Parkway. I have lived in Blount County since 1972. This will further despoil the viewscape, pollute the air and water, destroy productive farmland, and increase traffic congestion (studies show this!). Rather, expend our monies on improving maintaining and repairing local roads and connections. I am not saying no new roads or lanes, just no more interstates stretching out into the country then stopping.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
I do not support this project. It will not relieve congestion in Blount County. In fact it will increase it. It will further degrade the Little River watershed, one of the most biodiverse rivers in the state.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
I am opposed to the expansion of the Pellissippi Parkway. This extension is unnecessary and does not address traffic issues in the region. A parkway extension would increase big-box corporate commercial development, which will run small, local, family-owned businesses out of business. Use the money to improve existing infrastructure to make it more walkable, bikeable, AND driveable, which will support healthy communities. It is absurd that the Keller Farm is not considered a business.The rural character of Blount County sets it apart from the sprawl of Knox County. Natural features like the Little River are gems that should be protected, not developed. Blount County should prioritize supporting family-owned businesses, including working farms, by consolidating development to town and maintaining the rural character of the county.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
I am AGAINST this extension for so many reasons.According to reports this highway extension will do little to alleviate traffic as proponents hope - but will certainly create another large unsightly road cut through previously rural farmland. You can only have so many major highways in a county before it starts to become less of the beautiful place people orginally moved here for!BiodiversityThis road building will definitely have a negative impact on the incredibly diverse Little River in some key locations - crossing Peppermint Branch and other tributaries of the Little River. Please put this project to rest permanently. Thanks for your time
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
Thank you for requesting public input. Please do not build the proposed Pellissippi Parkway Extension. It will cost taxpayers a fortune, and it fails to address our local needs for safety and mobility. If constructed as planned with an interchange at US411 , it will create unsafe extra congestion on Sevierville Road, which is already inadequate for the traffic is carries. I urge you to prioritize making improvements to roads & highways that already exist but are becoming crowded and unsafe. Add shoulders to Sevierville Road, and widen it where possible. Continue improvements to Alcoa Highway and Chapman Highway that will make those corridors safer for all. Think outside the same old box; consider public transportation options and greener solutions to our mobility needs.Maintain and repair the roads we have now before laying down new pavement, especially pavement that is not needed!
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
This proposed road has never made sense to me in any arena. It purposely bypasses Maryville businesses, something they do not need. It destroys existing quality farms, farmland, and open space in Blount County, something that once paved cannot be restored. It adds nothing to our quality of life and has limited benefit for the traveler. It is an expensive project for a short stretch of lots of pavement. It has little to no support from those living in Blount County. Please listen and do NOT move forward with this project.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
I am opposed to finishing the so-called "missing link" of the Pellissippi Parkway Extension. The road is already finished so far as I am concerned. Paving over a rural landscape in order to displace traffic impact and shorten commuter times strikes me as being a short-term solution to longer-term problems, including automobile-dependent neighborhoods and a ballooning population. Blount Countians love their rural landscape, and paving over it would mean loving it to death. Saving undeveloped, open farmland should be of utmost importance, and capping the human footprint should be a priority. Finishing the Extension would do neither. It would waste money, degrade the environment (even with precautions put in place), displace residents, permanently alter the landscape, threaten the environmental integrity of Little River, and more. Let the highway in its current form instead stand as a testament to human restraint and self-imposed limitation, both of them hallmarks of wisdom.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
I am in favor of this SR162 extension project. As someone that benefited for decades using the original Pellissippi Parkway, the benefits of this extension would be tremendous for the local businesses, decrease congested traffic in Maryville and Alcoa - as well as pollution reduction from stop light traffic with vehicles traveling from interstates/Knoxville to Walland, Townsend, and Great Smoky Mountains, and improved access to jobs for the residents living in the more remote areas of this Appalachian district. As a Maryville native, I drove from Maryville to my job in Oak Ridge where I worked for over 20 years. The Pellissippi Parkway (I-140, SR162) was very helpful in cutting down my drive time, increasing safety, and decreasing my stress levels - avoiding US129 and I-40/75. I have previous experience with TDEC and their strict concerns, rules, and regulations regarding Environmental impacts of road construction. Anyone familiar with the development and implementation of an SWPPP will understand the rules and oversight that Tennessee will implement with the construction / subcontractors associated with this extension. I, and many others I know, are looking forward to the completion of this extension - and have been for years.Much appreciated,Thanks for the opportunity to comment.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
STOP THE PROJECT ! It is a waste of taxpayer money, and will add to the environmental degradation that is ongoing in the community. Valuable habitat and greenspace will be destroyed. There is absolutely no need for this extension.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
STOP THE PROJECT ! It is a waste of taxpayer money, and will add to the environmental degradation that is ongoing in the community. Valuable habitat and greenspace will be destroyed. There is absolutely no need for this extension.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
If this project is built, it would be bad for the water supply and ecosystem of the Little River, which is a benchmark river in the state of Tennessee. When you build roads, it increases sedimentation in streams, and this road would also pave the way for more development -- gas stations and big box stores and more impermeable surfaces. If this area is known for its beauty and attracts tourists for that reason, then we need to protect it, not develop it. We already have a rampant development mindset in other parts of the county, and it's unfair to impose that on those who make a living from the land, like the Kellers who run a working farm that would be bisected by the PPE. It's absurd that a working farm is not considered a business by TDOT. Others have chosen to live rurally to get away from over-development. With roads comes more noise pollution and light pollution, as well. The GSMNP is already having trouble protecting the soundscape and lightscape resources because of increased development that bring more city lights and noise. The PPE would not help the businesses on Lamar Alexander Parkway in Maryville that benefit from tourist traffic. Additionally, in light of climate change, we need to be seriously thinking about how we can protect the natural resources that this area has, not adding to the problem of gobbling up land for roads and adding to pollution just to give a few people an added convenience.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
STOP this project. Studies have shown this is not going to fix traffic flow in Blount County. What would would be extending Pellissippi to William Blount Drive then on to HWY 411. Its the rich of Walland that push for easy access to their property and Sevier County tourism. By-passing the towns of Alcoa and Maryville will impact by taking the visitors to the Smokey's away from businesses that need the revenue.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
STOP this project. Studies have shown this is not going to fix traffic flow in Blount County. What would would be extending Pellissippi to William Blount Drive then on to HWY 411. Its the rich of Walland that push for easy access to their property and Sevier County tourism. By-passing the towns of Alcoa and Maryville will impact by taking the visitors to the Smokey's away from businesses that need the revenue.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
I oppose this project. We should use taxpayer dollars to repair and improve existing roads. It has not been shown convincingly that the PPE will improve travel times or relieve congestion. The areas where growth is already occurring are in West Maryville, not going cross-country from 33 to 321.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
When are we ever going to move forward on finishing this road that was proposed by Governor Alexander 40 years ago!
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
I view this as poor utilization of our transportation dollars. This is an unnecessary road when we have pressing needs to maintain current roadways and to look to roadway improvements that address safety issues.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
Way too much money and not enough benefit to the community. Spend the money on repairing and improving safety on current roadways
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
too expensive. Funds would be better spent improving and maintaining current roadways
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
This will not solve any problems but will direct traffic away from Maryville and destroy valuable green space and farmland
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
We need to repair the roads we already have and not build a new highway that directs traffic away from city centers and destroys green space and farmland
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
The Pellissippi Parkway extension will not benefit the residents of Blount County. It will actually destroy some of our beautiful environment. I believe an extension of the parkway will also fracture our county, as a 4-lane highway will divide the land.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
Please do NOT build this project. It will not serve any of our actual needs. We have urgent safety issues in roads in our region, and it would be irresponsible to spend our limited transportation funds on an unnecessary new highway.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
Do not build the PPE. We do not need it.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
Do NOT build the PPE. We do not need this highway, as it will not serve any actual needs.We have urgent safety issues on our existing road system. Fix those, and do not waste our transportation dollars on an unnecessary new highway.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
Do NOT build the PPE. It serves no actual need. Please fix the safety and congestion issues on our existing roads and do not waste our tax money on an unnecessary new highway.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
The PPE should NOT be built. It will not serve any of our actual transportation needs. Please address our safety and congestion issues on the road system we have now, and do not waste tax dollars on an unnecessary new highway.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
Do not build the PPE. Fix the problems on our existing roads instead.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
Do NOT build the PPE. We do not need a new highway. Fix the urgent safety and congestion problems on our existing roadways instead.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
There is absolutely no need to expand this roadway. The damage to personal property and farms completely out weigh the 2 minute route (129/321) that already exist.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
Complete waste of taxpayer dollars when so many other roads that currently need repair and improvements.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
This project should not be built. It will not solve any of our actual road needs.We have urgent safety issues on roads in our county and region. It is irresponsible to spend our limited road funds on an unnecessary new highway.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
Get it done ASAP
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
This is a project that is a total waste of Tennessee taxpayer dollars. The State of Tennessee already has a backlog of urgent road, waterway, bridge and maintenance projects that are critical to our infrastructure. There is currently not enough funding for these projects let alone wasting as much as nearly $200 million on this one (for a 4.4 mile stretch of highway). We should spend our limited transportation taxpayer dollars to maintain the system we already have in place. TDOT's own analysis of this project shows that this project will not ease traffic congestion in Blount County (see the 2010 DEIS, 3-4; also 2-9, Table 2-3). Blount County is currently seeing major growth in the west side of the county, which this project will not address.I would also like to point out that the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning organization's TIP for FY2020-2023 shows proposed projects in Blount County totaling $220 million, almost $600 million for Knox County and nearly $140 in other projects in Knox-Blount counties. That totals $960 million for only two counties in the State. Surely there has to be other needs within the State that could use these funds more effectively.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
09-232: PPExtension, is totally useless. Almost 20 years in the making, it does not serve any helpful practical purpose. There are MANY other projects that are in dire need of improvement, and that will actually be useful ! For example, projects such as:09-211, 09-216, 09-221, 09-229, 09-239, 09-241, 09-245, 09-262, just to mention a few, are meant to improve their current status, safety, and efficiency.On the other hand, project 09-232 PPE, is VERY costly, requires ROWay over vasts areas of private properties that have significant agricultural/farmland/dairy value, while its benefits to the overall community are minimal, and of no real practical value.In summary, PLEASE DO NOT WASTE OUR taxes on a 09-232, and instead invest in many of the other projects that are much needed, and of greater benefits.Thank you,Dr. Christian P. Halloy
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
This propose interstate highway (it is in no way a "parkway"), is, in my mind, very low on the list of important road projects in Blount County. We have too many substandard two-lane roads that need repair and upgrading. In fact the county is full of such dangerous roads, roads our children are playing ons and riding on in school buses.We should be spending our tax dollars on these secondary roads for the foreseeable future.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
I believe that building this section of the Parkway is a waste of tax payers money and will only add to the current growth problems of Blount County. The money targeted for this road could be better spent improving the existing roads in this county, such as hwy 411 (Sevierville road) which is to narrow and dangerous.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
This is a project that TDOT studies have shown will not meet any need or serve any purpose. It will not reduce transit times more than fractionally, and it will not improve safety. It is going to dump more traffic onto substandard Blount County roads and increase traffic there are introduce more safety problems. We do not need this road. Furthermore, it will be hugely expensive, miuch more than the outdated and questionable figures provided to the public. If you actually read the EIS you find there is little to recommend this project. Meanwhile the cost financially and environmentally will be very high. And Blount County will be left with the problem and expense of upgrading infrastructure in the aftermath. Put money into other projects where it is needed.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
This project is the least needed of almost all Blount County proposals. The environmental study done for and by TDOT makes it clear that the PPE will not substantially address any of the issues proponents claim for it. TDOT's cost estimates in this proposal are WAY below its own earlier projections (including one for $197 million). Blount County's actual traffic and safety needs will not be addressed by building a new highway that might make it 10 minutes faster to get from Townsend to Oak Ridge. The idea for this predates the last 30 years of Blount County's growth, most of which has been and continues to be in the western side of Maryville. There are real and immediate needs that are addressed by many of the projects proposed for this Mobility Plan, and those projects should have priority. There are also many narrow, two lane rural roads, also proposed for this Plan, that desperately need to be upgraded for safety and mobility. This has been clear for decades and the PPE will do nothing except in some cases make them worse.Spending hundreds of millions of dollars to serve the desires of a few businesses and residents in Walland and Townsend will be a tragic waste and deprive the rest of us of safe and more efficient ways to get around. There is no barrier to quick, four lane access to the Walland/Townsend/ area or to the national park. This was not the case when this project was initially proposed, but the needs now do not include this expensive and destructive project.It is just not good enough to argue that this is a long-planned road. It might have been a good idea 30 years ago but it is not now.. Tennessee does not have the resources to construct Legacy Projects that have no current utility.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
This project should NOT be built. As it stands it is a colossal waste of taxpayer money. It will not solve a single road need. We have much more urgent safety issues on roads in Blount County and the region. It is very irresponsible to spend limited highway construction funds on this unnecessary new highway construction. It will be an interstate in search of a purpose and not solve any problem.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
A new highway to 321 is not needed. There are currently several other routes to get to/from Knoxville/Townsend. Such a road may have been needed decades ago when it was first envisioned, but since the 1970s major improvements have been made to enable better traffic flow -- e.g., making 321 from Maryville to Townsend four lanes, 129 ByPass in Maryville. Also, most of the residential/commercial/industrial growth in Blount Co is at the other end of the county -- Alcoa and west Maryville. Faster access to/from Townsend not needed, waste of tax dollars. So many other roads need improvement as soon as possible.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
I haven't seen any problems that the building of this road solves. This project shouldn't be built. We have more necessary safety issues on roads in our county and region, and it is irresponsible to spend our limited road funds on an unnecessary new highway.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
Same as comment for other section of the Pellissippi Parkway Ext. - this doesn't solve traffic problems in the area and it will encourage commercial growth along the corridor and not in Maryville/Alcoa where it is needed. This should be the last priority for regional transportation funding.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
Blount County needs many substandard roads improved instead of building new roads funds for this project could be used for this and many citizens are against this project and it would destroy many scenic views and much farmland and take away from the water quality of Little River and would create congestion on highway 321 which flows well now.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
There are so many other road projects that need the money {that Tennessee government does not have, and that the US government has not allocated}. The PPE will cause more problems than it solves, and create more traffic on feeder roads that are themselves in need of upgrade {us411 for example}. The people's government money would be put to better use on the Alcoa highway, us411, Montvale road, et cetera. A 1970 thru 2016 Blount Countian Thanks-you.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
This project should NOT be built. It will not serve any of our actual transportation needs. We have urgent safety issues on many roads in our county and region, and this project will not address them, but may even decrease safety by adding extra traffic to Sevierville Road.The EIS for this project showed that the PPE will not significantly decrease the level of congestion now present, nor will it improve safety on the area road network.It is irresponsible to spend our limited transportation funds to build a costly and unnecessary new highway.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
Do NOT build this project. It will not serve any of our actual transportation needs. It will not increase safety or decrease congestion on our road network; it may in fact do the opposite. Please fix our safety problems on the existing roads, and do not spend outrageous amounts of our tax dollars building an unnecessary new highway.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
Do NOT build this road project. A new highway in this place will not serve any of our actual transportation needs, and will cost an exorbitant amount of money. This project will not improve safety or reduce congestion on area roads (as shown in the EIS!). Please use my tax dollars to improve and make safer the road system we already have instead of building a new highway we do not need.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
This project should NOT be built. It will not serve any of our actual transportation needs. We have urgent safety issues on many roads in our area. Please repair, maintain, and improve the roads we already have, and do not waste our limited transportation tax dollars on an unnecessary new highway.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
Do NOT build this project. It will not serve any of our actual transportation needs. We have urgent safety issues on many roads in our region that need to be addressed. This proposed highway may do more harm than good if constructed, by adding more traffic to Sevierville Road. It would be irresponsible to spend our limited transportation funds on an unnecessary new highway that brings us no significant benefit.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
We don't seem to have the funds to take care of the roads we already have so we need to prioritize projects. Many roads are dangerously narrow, ok for one car, but as the county population grows they become major hazards. The access points for the PPE will cause heavier traffic on roads that were designedbfor rural traffic.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
I oppose this project.? TDOT's own data, compiled for the EIS, showed little or no improvement in safety, travel times, traffic congestion, and other criteria used to demonstrate purpose and need.? It would be a huge waste of limited funding.? The $84 million price tag is not accurate: far more of our limited tax dollars would be required.? Why would we build this new road when so many of our existing roads need improvements just to ensure basic safety?? I ask that this project be taken out of consideration permanently.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
PELLISSIPPI PKWAY EXTENSION from current terminus at Hwy33 in Blount Co to Hwy 321.This road is no longer needed. It was proposed in the 1970s (50 years ago!). Since then major residential and commercial growth in Blount Co has been south and west of Maryville -- the opposite direction of the proposed PPE.Alcoa has also grown and the new Springbrook Farm is being developed. This road is no longer needed because Hwy 321 has been 4-laned and travel to Great Smoky Mtn National Park and the town of Townsend are easily accessed by this improved road. This incredibly expensive 4-lane highway will carve through healthy farmlands and take them out of production. Monies allocated for this highway would be better spent on improving existing roads.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
We think it is irresponsible to spend our limited transportation funds on the construction of a new highway that does not address our pressing need to improve safety and mobility, and decrease congestion, on existing area roads.? The Pellissippi Parkway Extension is expensive and entirely unnecessary.? Building it will result in greater congestion and less safety on Sevierville Road.? If the PPE is ever constructed over public opposition, we will lobby forcefully for it to be an actual Parkway, running uninterrupted from SR33 to US321, with NO interchange at Sevierville Road.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
I am very much against any extension of Pellissippi Parkway.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
I am not in favor of Mobility Plan number 09-232 as I feel that this is a waste of tax payer dollars, will not improve traffic flow, will direct traffic away from businesses within Maryville, and will disrupt local heritage farms.
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
09-232 Pellissippi Parkway Extension: I oppose this project. Why would we build this new road instead of properly maintaining existing roads that may also need improvements?
Pellissippi Pkwy (SR-162) Extension
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on state road building and improvements for the Blount County area, where I live and work.I think it is fair to say that Tennessee has limitations as to how many road improvements and new roads that the state budget can accommodate. Thus, it seems that decisions on whether to build new roads or to make improvements must be judicious. With this premise in mind, it seems prudent to me that new construction should be delayed or denied when existing roads need to be maintained and upgraded to meet current and projected usage needs and to better address safety concerns. For these reasons new major constructions should be delayed or permanently suspended in favor of protecting the travelers on existing roads. To build new roads when current roads need to be upgraded and made safer is not only poorly thought out, but unethical. Only after current roads are properly maintained should we as a state take on new road construction, which will in time require maintenance. Take care of what we have before creating more roads that we may not be able to take care of.There is also the need to deal honestly with the effects major new roads will have on the community. There is a move within our country to preserve our natural beauty and open land for emotional health reasons and also food production. I own and operate a fruit and vegetable farm where my sales are at the farm only. This year there has been demonstrated a growing interest for the pubic to know more about where their food comes from and how it is grown. We were literally overrun by new and existing customers this season. This phenomenon is not unique to me, but has been experienced all over the southeastern U.Sl.I am a retired federal agent who traveled and worked over much of the U.S. for 40 years, as well as a fruit and vegetable grower. One of the things that I observed is that when new roads and thoroughfares are constructed on open, farm land, in a matter of a few years the farms begin to fall to ?development? needs, and this land is lost forever. Such has also been true with the Pellissippi Parkway from Knox County into Blount County. For these and other reasons I am adamantly opposed to to the Pellissippi Parkway Extension. To build this thoroughfare will continue to lead to demolition of family farms and increased building pressures. The natural beauty will be scared by this type of construction. Many people still enjoy riding around to get away from their daily stresses and to take in the natural beauty of an open field and unobstructed view of the mountains that make Blount County so desirable. If I could wave a magical wand, I would remove the Pellisiippi Parkway Extension from the list of proposed new roadway construction for the state of Tennessee.Let us maintain the roads that we have and preserve the beauty of the open land and unobstructed vistas of the mountains for our mental health. Let us preserve the land for food production for our local people, so that we are not as dependent upon less than fresh food being shipped in from somewhere else. Let us leave our posterity a place that they call home that is not covered with concrete, asphalt, and roofs. Furthermore, I am convinced that this Extension will only add to the congestion and fatigue, as it will incite more building and more destruction of our natural beauty. I encourage Governor Lee and the TDOT to delay, and preferably to put aside, this construction, as it only adds to the losses that can never be recovered. May our heritagel be passed on to our children and our grandchildren, and not more conjestion.