NW 26th Street Project/ MLK Extension proposed through Des Moines River Greenbelt Deadline for comments Saturday, September 13 Email your comments to: [log in to unmask] Comments should reflect the impacts of the project if it goes through the Des Moines River Greenbelt, established neighborhoods, and dumps much more traffic onto MLK Parkway through Des Moines Recently there were public input meetings on the proposed Northwest 26th Street project/MLK extension and Northeast Polk County Beltway studies. But you still have a chance to make your voices heard and your views still need to be documented for public record. Please send your comments to Snyder & Associates by Saturday, September 13 in order to be included in the study documentation for decision-makers. Email your comments to: [log in to unmask] Your comments can be as simple as saying "I am opposed to the NW 26th alignment through the Des Moines River Greenbelt" (and be sure to include your name and address) -- That sentence counts as one more person opposed to that alternative for both recreational/environmental reasons and neighborhood reasons. Or include your own person observations or reasons for opposing. To be effective in opposition to projects like these, citizens need to be there each major step of the way. This is one of those steps, and your presence is critical to keeping this current of opposition strong. 1000 Friends has created some background information and talking points, utilizing the input we've received from citizens, at: http://www.1000friendsofiowa.org/content/view/234 NW 26th Street Project/ MLK Extension Polk County and other leaders are now calling this project the "NW 26th Street Project." This proposal consists of Reconstruction of NW 26th Street to a 4-lane facility between IA 415 and I 35/80, Construction of a new interchange at I-35/80 and NW 26th Street, and Construction of a new four-lane roadway on new alignment through the Des Moines River Greenbelt. This is from near Euclid Ave/U.S. 6 and MLK Jr Parkway and the proposed NW 26th St interchange. Essentially, it would extend MLK Parkway, north to the interstate, create an interchange, and provide a high traffic road north to Ankeny. Alternatives instead of this proposal could include expanding one or more existing roads: Merle Hay Road, NW Beaver Avenue, IA Highway 415, 12th Street, 6th Avenue , 2nd Avenue. There is also an expanded Transit Service alternative. The public meetings and collection of written comments are building the case for approval or disapproval of this project. All are part of the Environmental Impact Statement, a federally required evaluation for projects that have extensive environmental impacts. Comments will be compiled and sent to Polk County, the Federal Highway Administration, and other decision-makers. Your comments are like a vote which needs to be counted on the stack of documented opinions that is carried forward in the near future. This study and proposal assumes that Ankeny and Northern Polk County will continue to sprawl with auto-reliance and rapid population growth. That makes picking any alternative an impossible task. Comments should reflect the impacts of the project if it goes through the Des Moines River Greenbelt, established neighborhoods, and dumps much more traffic onto MLK Parkway through Des Moines. That is the alignment that powerful interests are pushing for, also the most detrimental. To see a map of the alternatives visit: http://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/PublicWorks/PDFs/rangeofalternatives.pdf Please comment on your views by September 13! It is so important to send your comments to Snyder & Associates by Saturday, September 13 in order to be included in the study documentation for decision-makers. Thanks to Stephanie Weisenbach of 1000 Friends of Iowa for this information. Posted by Jane Clark - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/