Mitch proposes massive land grab:

[Jokerman]

Let me see if I have this straight:

Use eminent domain to seize private property.
Build a massive new public highway.
Privatize the new road and let a private company collect tolls.

Does this sound like a scam to anyone else?

http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5656923&nav=menu35_1

[LiberalFighter]

1. Question!!!!

Would that route really save time, money and gas instead of using the current route? Looks like a long long long way out of the way to go.

[izzybeans]

7. There are roads and highways already in between all of these towns and there is not

enough traffic on them to justify this. Imagine if these two lane highways and roads turn into a four lane toll road. Empty as can be. Why not just rename 465 'the beltway' and call it a day? What is justified is some sort of rail transport from the south and north commuting corridors. A rail service that runs from Noblesville to Franklin/Columbus seems to be more "commerce" oriented, perhaps with interlinks to different sections of town.

Mitchie is just setting up some friends for a good time. That is the essence of any privatization. There is absolutely nothing to justify this. Indianapolis traffic congestion even at its worst is laughable in comparison to other urban areas; even urban areas where a large % of commuters are on buses and trains. There just is not enough traffic to bypass a freaking bypass that already exists.

When Mitch tries to justify this to Indianapolis residents by talking about traffic I would suggest he take a trip down the Long Island Expressway, or even the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway on a brisk Monday morning. He will learn what traffic is and is not. Then we can all go home and not worry about such stupid plans.

[madhoosier]

8. Tossed out to be shot down?

It’s possible that this proposal is a sacrificial lamb, designed to be shot down, then Mitch will propose a “shorter, less costly alternative” circling Indy to the north, linking Anderson, Noblesville-Carmel-Fishers, the North Meridian corridor, Zionsville, Lebanon, then turning south and picking up Avon, Plainfield and the airport. If ya look at the demographics/voting patterns I suspect that those areas are “redder” than the proposed plan.

[izzybeans]

9. That is certainly something to keep in mind.

The routing just doesn't make sense as it is and it doesn't make sense for decades to come in the northern 'exurbs'.

[salin]

2. It is absurd - and politically foolish.

The drubbing the GOP has taken in the state is due, in great part, to the sense that Mitchco is arrogant, makes decisions without regard to the voting public's concerns, and when the public voices the concern it is ignored while Mitchco railroads ahead anyway.

So, Mitch realizes tollroad 69 isn't EVER going to happen. Ego Mitch won't concede a political loss - and still can't pay for I69 without the privatization scheme (aka the tollroad option) - so create a new tollroad scheme to pay for the unneeded I69 and declare more bulldozer political wins.

Stupid Mitch doesn't recognize get that it is this type of 'governing behavior' that helped to send 3 democrats to congress (esp in the 2nd district where some voters took their angst at the privatized tollroad out on Chocola), and turned the state House back over to the dems.

Guess he won't be satisfied until he turns the whole state into a democratic voting bloc.

I think this plan is sorta like Ser Vas's plan to build a huge pump and take water out of lake monroe (and out of servicing south central indiana needs) and pump it up to Indy ... in a "public/private" venture that would make tons of "private money"... in the sense that it falls into the category of Never Gonna Happen. then again, Mitch has shown via the major moves debacle that he, like his old boss, doesn't have to play by the 'listen to the people' rules - maybe he is stupid enough to try to do this.

Dang, if political parties were switched for a moment (eg Mitch a dem, the state mostly dem) we would be wondering if wasn't working for Rove to turn the state repub... wonder if some freeper types will wonder if Mitch is a clinton or dean operative... ;-)

[madhoosier]

3. That's Mitch, more of the same old ideas.

The problem with all proposals to build new roads is that they ignore the fact that petroleum production is likely at peak capacity now and will soon start to decline, making new roads far less necessary in the near future. The money spent to create infrastructure for the current transportation system would be spent far more wisely on research on how to develop a transportation system designed to maximize the efficient use of our dwindling supply of petroleum.

I suspect a 21st Century transport system would be linked by telecommunication technologies, computing technologies, GPS technologies, and other systems designed specifically for the new system, hopefully making the steering wheel, gas pedal and brake pedal obsolete.

The physics of steel wheels on steel rails is far more fuel efficient than rubber tires on roadway. Also it’s silly to design roads to accommodate both the transportation of individuals up to semis pulling triple trailers; the new transportation system will probably need to separate materials transport from human transport.

Removing the steering wheel, brake etc, and integrating transport should nearly eliminate collisions, saving 40,000 lives and untold billions in hospital costs and collision repair costs.

Eliminating collisions and utilizing light rail technologies could reduce vehicle weight dramatically, resulting in massive energy savings.

All of these ideas require only one thing to make them come to fruition; imagination, therefore the idea that any republican would embrace this vision of a new future is a folly.

[hippiechick]

4. One would think ...

... and I'm certainly not a city planner, engineer or any kind of mathematical wizard ... but the more feasible and logical thing to do would be to make 465 a toll road, not that new thing - and tighten up that proposed ugly-ass loop so it doesn't swing practically down to Kentucky.

That would ease traffic on 465 by encouraging folks to use the new autobahn and also add some repair money to the coffers so that some of the godawful pot-holey main streets could be fixed up.

But, like I said, that seems too logical. :shrug: This IS Indiana, after all.

[imaginary girl]

5. seems like another money-making scam to me (n/t)

[IndianaGreen]

6. The plan is horrifying in its scope and impact

If Mitch has his way he will sell big chunks of Indiana to the highest bidder.

[AwakeAtLast]

10. And wouldn't you know we are building a house right in its path!

:grr: :nuke: :grr:

Our foundation isn't even dry and this was the news I was greeted with!

I am in Soutwest Madison County. I have no idea how he plans to accomplish this. Way too many things in the way in just this little corner of the county.

Let's just hope we have a new governor before this can get off the ground!

[SpeedwayDemocrat]

12. He heard about your house, WakeMeUp!

And knowing what a subversive bunch we are, he asked the planner to run that sucker right through YOUR yard (ha ha just kidding). I'm sure that Homeland Security is already monitoring our activity and has us on their watch list!
Seriously though, he is beyond delusional at this point - he's certifiably insane!
I spoke with two of the Dem state reps last night, and this will never go through as long as they're in office. So there's still hope, I guess...

[AwakeAtLast]

13. Good to know, thanks!

:hi:

[cagoldensun5050]

11. From a Texas resident, this sounds SOOOOO familiar!!!

I hope Hoosiers learn from our mistakes and vote out that SOB in 2008!

[LisaLynne]

14. We are going to do our best.

I've been seeing a LOT of "Ditch Mitch" bumperstickers already. :)

[AwakeAtLast]

15. Me, too!

And I live in an area of Indiana that voted one of the few Repukes back into office (Pence).

[Bzzzz]

16. My condelences...

I cannot stand Pence.