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July 6, 2005 Pat Howard, Managing Editor RE: Bayfront Connector Dear Pat: Please allow me, on behalf of all my constituents, to congratulate and thank PennDOT District 1-0 for its work in completing the long-awaited Erie Bayfront Connector. This was an effort decades in the making, with scores of individuals to thank for their efforts along the way. District 1-0, under the leadership of District Executive Bill Petit, is consistently one of the most well-run operations within the Department of Transportation, if not all of state government. Erie County has the 3rd smoothest roads in all of Pennsylvania, and the top 3 are all within District 1-0 boundaries. District 1-0 is the only district in PennDOT with a highway maintenance plan; that plan has contributed greatly to our road smoothness rating. District 1-0 is also the only district with the foresight to include an "economic development" line item in the Erie MPO's budget documents. That kind of vision and understanding of the relationship between transportation planning and economic development projects has helped us bring projects to completion faster, and should be a model for the rest of the state to follow. On the financial side, District 1-0's final project costs vs. the project bid costs amount to a minute .31% difference- an amazing statistic any agency would be proud of. I could go on and on; Bill Petit and his team are an unsung treasure that we are fortunate to have working for us all. It is no secret that transportation infrastructure is vitally important to economic development, and this highway is no exception. Linking I-79 with I-90 has opened-up areas of Erie County for economic development like never before. Construction of the Bayfront Parkway section almost immediately spurred development along the waterfront, which had been stifled and underutilized for far too long. Without that road, there would be no Pepsi Amphitheatre, no tower on Dobbins Landing, no Convention Center, no Blasco Library or Maritime Museum. Sections heading into eastern part of Erie and through Harborcreek now link Penn State Erie-The Behrend College to the greater Erie community like never before. The road passing through the City was a determining factor in locating Wal-Mart on Erie's east side, and easing traffic on other city roads. The ability to move goods and people is a huge economic boon, and we should realize a measure of economic prosperity in the years to come as a result of the Bayfront Connector. Placing a highway through a dense urban area is not easy. Many individuals, neighborhoods, and businesses were impacted in all phases, but all were met with outstanding service by PennDOT officials (who were also busy with 38th Street realignment and a host of other major projects at the same time). The cooperation of residents and business owners displaced or impacted by the Connector should not be overlooked; their handling of what must have been a turbulent and unique situation was an important step in moving the process forward. Aesthetic designs incorporated into the road itself make the Bayfront Connector more than just a sterile highway; it works in conjunction with our tourist attractions. The road was designed to be a complete part of our community's fabric, not just a utilitarian strip of concrete and blacktop. The Bayfront Connector is undoubtedly the most visible sign of Tom Ridge's legacy and impact on Erie, both as a Congressman and as Governor. It was Congressman Ridge who was able to secure the first funding for this project, with an earmark of federal dollars that got the ball rolling on defining the need for and building a consensus around the highway. As Governor Ridge, his continued commitment of state dollars finally took the road from concept to reality. Both Governors Schweiker and Rendell are to be thanked for seeing Tom Ridge's commitment through to completion, when they could have easily looked elsewhere. I would also like to thank Congressman English, Senators Specter and Santorum (for continuing the flow of federal dollars to finish this job), Tom Hoffman and the Erie MPO staff, City of Erie and Harborcreek Township officials, and to all the other municipalities in Erie County. Without the patience, understanding, and support of elected officials and MPO representatives in places like Summit Township, City of Corry, Washington Township, Wesleyville Borough, and elsewhere, this project could not have been completed. Many projects in other parts of Erie County were put on hold until the Bayfront Connector was finished, and I thank everyone for having the vision and foresight to see that this highway will have an economic benefit for all of us throughout the county. I am proud of the effort put forth by so many over the years, and proud of the new road we have. I look forward to the economic impact it will have on our community, as well as to the next project (or projects) that will have a great impact on us all. Sincerely,
Jane M. Earll |
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