It was recently reported a 188-acre industrial park is being proposed by Pattillo Industrial Real Estate along Cassville-White Road in Cartersville. Obviously, this is great news for a community that is fighting for jobs, new industry and tax revenues.
However, it is unfortunate the proposed location will not reap the benefits of the Georgia Department of Transportation's originally approved design for the U.S. 411 Connector (Route G). The cheaper, less environmentally impactful route could serve as an efficient transportation corridor for the industrial park and could even benefit Highland 75, a 707-acre master planned industrial/corporate park that sits just east of I-75.
As reported, Route G, costs taxpayers $182 million less than the proposed design (Route D-VE - $280 million), it is 2.5 miles shorter and requires half the number of expensive bridges and overpasses (which means less time to construct). It also does not require the state to raze a mountain, conservation easement and historic mine. More importantly, Route G impacts significantly fewer residences and parcels of land; unlike Route D-VE.
While county and city officials should be applauded for bringing in new business, we need to start building much needed transportation infrastructure to support new industrial parks, such as the Pattillo site, so they can flourish and prosper.
Sincerely,
Mary Martin
Cartersville