Troy Times Tribune, November 13th,

by Mae Grapperhaus, editor of the Troy Times Tribune

Another meeting is planned by Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) on the Gateway Connector that is proposed from Troy to Columbia.

How many meetings do we need on this?  The Gateway Connector or Outer Belt or whatever it will be named, will do nothing for the Troy community but increase urban sprawl with more traffic.

The meetings never change.  It is always the same.  The State says it has no funds for this road; however, they have plenty of funds (the tax payer's money) to pay the planners, who have apparently spent hours and hours planning this disastrous idea.  This is a waste of money that could be used on many other worthwhile projects.  One example - widening and re-constructing the bridge at the west end of Troy on Route 162 at I-55/70.

Once the State decides where the road will be located, the land will be tied up for years.  Owners will not be able to make any improvements, sell or do anything else with it.

Where is our free country theory?  What kind of freedom is this if one can't do what they want with their property?  If you feel the same way, express yourself at the meeting that will be held at Triad High School on Wednesday, November 19, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and please write your legislators, local officials, county officials, letters to the editor and IDOT about your concerns.  After all you are paying for it!

Their addresses are as follows (and she lists addresses and also mentions the meeting which was held tonight at SS Peter and Paul in Collinsville.