I-75 interchange still a good idea
It is potentially bad news for the region's motorists that Troy now apparently has a council majority that opposes the construction of an Interstate 75 freeway interchange at Long Lake Road. It was and is a good idea. It would relieve congestion throughout the city by adding access to surface streets, now limited mainly to Crooks, Big Beaver and 14 Mile Road.It also is ironic in that I-75 follows an unnecessarily winding route that already gives and historically has given a vastly disproportionate amount of interstate access to Troy, a fact that no doubt helps explain its unusual prosperity. It ought to be transportation needs, not the whims of parochial preference, that decide where highways are built and accessed. Perhaps Troy politicians will yet do themselves and the rest of us a favor by seeing the interchange completed.
Linda Thielfoldt has emailed the following response to the Oakland Press:
Dear Editor,
It would appear that the circling of the wagons has begun! Barely a week after the election in Troy and those who have been behind the I-75 Interchange are already worried about the possibility of a majority on City Council with the power and the vote to see this project stopped once and for all. Why else would they now be singing a new as yet unheard tune that this is a "regional" issue? Make no mistake about it, this is not a regional issue, it is a Troy issue and the residents and voters that have the most to lose by allowing a 6th interchange in our city have spoken loudly and often. Thousands of us have said we don't want it, the city's own survey confirmed it and if there was any doubt the election proved it with the win of the only two candidates committed to seeing it go away, no matter what the design. Enough already - can't we all turn our collective energy toward something more meaningful and with greater benefit to all? Here you are wasting space trying to make a point on a project no one wants and yet at the same time there is still a plea from Troy People Concerned to have citizens adopt 34 needy families in Troy - seems to me that is more worthy of your editorial coverage than a dubious project no one wants.
Linda M. Thielfoldt
Executive Director,
Stop Interchange Now Citizens Coalition
Troy, MI
You have my permission to print this letter but since you never print letters like this, I doubt it will be necessary but I am hopeful enough to send it anyway :-.
