Let’s be clear: suggesting DOH should re-examine Corridor H going north is not the same as saying Corridor H should go north. These are completely different positions.
When the ROPA was put forth some 20 years ago, and northern routes were considered, DOH suggested the ROPA was the shortest and least expensive route. The Davis Town Council, submitted a letter agreeing with DOH: This letter was not a Davis authorization to “build the highway.”
There has been a big change and I have not seen anyone acknowledge or address this. The ROPA Parsons interchange from Elkins was before you get to Parsons. This made a shorter road from that interchange to connect to the 4-lane east of Davis, on the Douglas side of Backbone Mountain. The Parson’s interchange is no longer there!
In response to Parsons’ citizens’ concerns, DOH moved the Parsons’ interchange to the other side of Parsons. The 1-D east, northern alignment, DOH initially rejected as being longer and more costly is now a shorter, straighter route. This alignment crosses 219 north of Thomas on its way to the 4-lane east of Davis. A northern road also removes the need and cost of a Thomas truck bypass.
Some have raised an issue of road safety–the northern alignment weather is worse. Is this true? We know the 219 weather because there is a road there and we drive it. I suggest there is also rain, snow, ice, and fog on the Douglas side of the mountain.
Many who are saying “go north” are in fact saying DOH owes it to our citizens to re-evaluate a northern alignment: considering the new Parsons’ interchange location and recently added Thomas truck bypass.
Karen Peterson