Highway to Heaven

I-16/I-75 Interchange

Macon, Georgia

A Google Search indicated that there are about 658 articles about this Interstate Road Project here in Macon, Georgia.

It can safely be stated that if all the paper work already expended on this Project as well as the Print Media coverage were laid out that the plans and reports would certainly cover more than any Super Interchange that is fourteen lanes wide. Every time I hear or read about this project I cannot help but think about the Television Program which commenced in 1984 staring Michael Landon entitled "Highway to Heaven." You may remember this program which featured a provisional Angel sent back to earth to "earn" his way back to paradise.

I am beginning to think that it will take more than any "Angel" to resolve this I-16/I-75 Interchange Project. In the short term the project appears to be too wide (large) in scope. Think back a moment to the early 1960s when the Eisenhower Interstate System was in the planning stages. Way back then the idea of so many automobiles and transport trucks on any highway system was merely a pipe dream. Things have changed. Some think for the better, while others think for the worse.

It is the opinion of this Blog Originator, The Flower Child, that our methods of transporting goods to the citizens of the United States of America may soon be revised. With the current high energy cost for fuel used to operate our transportation system, we may just revert back to moving things by rail. Then, the question could be asked, will we need to continue our expansion and/or improvement of the current Interstate Highway Transportation System?

As I recall, the Interstate Highway Transportation System was developed to allow our great country to transfer Military Equipment from one place to another. Of course, peacetime would allow the transportation of goods to citizens and also the side benefit of allowing motorist in private automobiles to travel throughout our great land.

That stated, we now have a system that needs to be improved. Just how much improvement appears to be the watchword of the day. Those who oppose the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) plans, all nine or ten revisions, say that the current planning is way too much. On the other hand the wise folks at GDOT are preparing for the future.

Admittedly, no one knows what the future holds or how the current dilemna will be resolved, be we all can be sure that there will be more automobiles in the future and we must all admit that all of our citizens should be free to travel anywhere they desire on safe and secure highways. Just this week we saw the reopening of the Interstate I-35 Bridge in the Twin Cities after the tragic bridge crash of fourteen months ago. We need to prepare for the future - this is a fact that we all can acknowledge.

The good folks at Georgia Tech who will be studying the current I-16/I-75 Interchange Project as to the real impact on the scenic beauty of this area of Macon have a giant project to accomplish. In the meantime the Flower Child hopes that "Cool Heads" will prevail and the future of the Interstate System in Middle Georgia serves the citizens. The old concept of "We The People," is reappearing in recent media pronouncements. Let us all hope that this concept continues to guide those who Govern and also those who work for the Government.