To the editor:

I want to commend Les Hannon (Take a Stand, Feb. 23) for his clear and decisive explanation for why the 32nd Street alignment is the only reasonable choice for building the South Lawrence Trafficway. Having only Mike Rundle and David Schauner on Mayor Boog Highberger’s side of this issue is hardly the “consensus” that KDOT requires.

Recently these same city officials have been saying that the city must become proactive and act smarter to deal with rapid growth. However, smart growth policies would look at ways to condense growth rather than promote sprawl. Which do you think will promote further rapid growth: using the 32nd Street alignment or three miles farther south?

In a Jan. 22 article, Mayor Highberger suggests that Lawrence should do its part in reducing global warming. If the trafficway was placed three miles south of 31st Street, near Wells Overlook Road (County Road 458), and the predicted traffic load of 20,000 cars per day traveled that route, they would essentially be traveling six miles farther per car, or an additional 120,000 extra miles per day when compared with the current preferred route. With an average of 20 mpg those cars would waste 6,000 gallons of gasoline per day. According to the EPA, each gallon of gasoline burned produces 20 pounds of carbon dioxide. So placing the trafficway on that alignment could generate an additional 120,000 pounds of carbon dioxide every day. Not exactly a “greenhouse friendly” alternative.

Moving the trafficway south also leaves the city having to pay $10 million-plus required to extend and widen 31st Street at its present location. Perhaps city officials should be working with KDOT to ensure completion of the trafficway instead of trying to “reinvent the wheel” somewhere else.

Roger Boyd,

Baldwin