Loop Road Nixed: February 18 Middletown Council Meeting Update

1. Council voted not to move forward with the Loop Road project after another round of public discussion. Previously I counted roughly 9 opposed, and 3 in favor. This meeting had a ratio of 14 opposed and 1 in favor.

2. Those opposed said:

   1. Maintenance costs aren’t accounted for in the budget.

   2. More traffic flow capacity means more cars will use the road, not necessarily a reduction in traffic.

   3. Inflation will likely drive costs up even further for this project.

   4. Funding doesn’t totally cover the project’s current costs.

   5. Removing green space will hurt local wildlife.

   6. We haven’t seen any environmental studies about noise, air, and light pollution.

   7. The traffic benefits aren’t worth the total cost.

   8. If a truck crashes and spills something, it will happen close to the residential space nearby.

3. Those in favor said:

   1. We would all benefit from traffic improving.

As I reported last week, all grant money Middletown received for this will be lost and it can’t be reused for another project.