Coalition continues to work to form I-49 corridor

By Lynn A. Wade

Herald-Tribune

Nevada, Mo. -- The Interstate 49 International Coalition has been working for years to coordinate efforts in several states toward the goal of an interstate highway from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada -- a north-south corridor offering economic development to cities along it and a quicker, more appealing freight and tourism route to those who would use it.

Promoters continue to tirelessly pursue the effort which has now spanned more than two decades (but just four years as a unified coalition) -- to make the dream a reality in hopes of paving a brighter future for towns along the corridor, like Nevada.

Kathi Wysong, executive director of the Nevada/Vernon County Area Chamber of Commerce and president of Missouri's I-49 Coalition, said Thursday that the effort could mean opportunities to boost the local economy -- especially since Nevada is located almost exactly in the center of the corridor.

Some ask if an interstate -- which means doing away with most at-grade crossings -- is necessary, given the fact that, in Missouri, U.S. 71 is already a four-lane, divided highway.

Wysong pointed out, however, that most people look to interstates when planning a long-distance trip. They are looking for the quickest, most trouble-free way to get to their destination.

Conceptually, the I-49 effort has met with little strong resistance. In some cases, residents near the highway worry about access if at-grade crossings are eliminated; and farmers worry about transporting equipment they can now move at slow speeds along U.S. 71.

Wysong agreed that the needs of those people are important. Historically, according to news reports throughout the past several years, proponents of I-49 have agreed with the notion that any project would have to offer ways to address those needs.

Nevertheless, building an interstate highway is expensive, even when the primary structure is in place, as is the case in Vernon County.

"Missouri has the least expensive part that's left," Wysong said, but state and federal highway construction dollars have gone to other projects -- I-70, I-44, projects to relieve congestion and other problems in major cities. Money has been allocated for a study to identify the actual cost of addressing access points, Wysong said, which is a step forward.

Wysong urged local residents to take a role in promoting the corridor and helping Nevada realize the potential for the economic surge such a change could bring about.

Wysong suggested that residents could "call or write (Missouri director of transportation) Pete Rahn -- thank him for the smooth roads initiative he's enacted since 2005, the repaving of Austin Street and tell him … you encourage Missouri to be the connecting link in the I-49 corridor project."

Speaking to a group of business leaders at a Nevada Rotary Club luncheon, she said, "I encourage you to go back today and sometime in the near future, examine your own personal 'Circle of Influence' -- polish its luster a bit and ask yourself how you can be an economic booster and spread the word that Nevada and Vernon County are open for business!"

To the south, large portions of the Interstate have been constructed in parts of Louisiana and Arkansas. Arkansas highway commission chairman Mary Hickerson told reporters at a meeting in Rogers, Ark., in October that "It just brings about economic development, there's no doubt about it."