Handel Calls Out GDOT For Trying to Reconstitute Northern Arc
GDOT Pursuing Most Expensive Route and Would Waste Millions

ATLANTA, GA (March 3, 2010) - Former Georgia Secretary of State and Gubernatorial candidate Karen Handel today urged the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to pursue a more common-sense, cost effective route that can be completed more quickly for the critically needed 411 connector near Rome and Cartersville. Handel said, "The current route being pursued by GDOT, which literally goes through a mountain and is longer than other options, is the most expensive, environmentally destructive and slowest route."

"The 411 Connector must be completed as expeditiously as possible, and at the same time, it must be done in the most cost-effective manner available," said Handel. "A Connector will provide critical access for Rome and Cartersville to I-75. Pursuing a route through a mountain opens up the state to significant legal challenges that will only delay this much-needed project. And, selecting a route that clearly will be the most costly - when other options are available - is irresponsible when our state is facing a budget crisis."
Handel said, "Further, in an effort to 'make the route work,' GDOT has used so-called 'value-engineering' tactics, such as much narrower shoulders and medians and steeper grades. This approach can save money in the short-term but sacrifices highway safety and opens up the project for change orders and significant cost overruns down the road. In effect, they are trying to drive a square peg through a round hole."

Handel also noted that GDOT's preferred route connects to I-75 at SR-20 near Cartersville which clearly keeps open GDOT's options to resurrect the controversial Northern Arc roadway that former Governor Barnes attempted to push through as an economic boon to several of his key campaign contributors.

"GDOT's unrelenting focus on this particular route that links to SR 20 -- instead of more commonsense, cost-effective routes -- raises serious questions about its ultimate intentions. The voters have spoken once on the Northern Arc ... and the answer is the same: 'no.'"