JUDGING BY the paper’s recent editorial, “Many paths, one objective,” it appears some are finally realizing that there are other ways to access I-75. Instead of trying to settle personal vendettas with a landowner and covering for the Georgia Department of Transportation’s repeated 411 Connector miscues, I would encourage local leaders to continue exploring more cost efficient, sensible paths to the interstate — and utilizing existing infrastructure — would be considered a bonus to taxpayers.

For example, the paper discussed improving GA 140 for better east-west connectivity to I-75. It seems to me that if Rome is willing to consider more northerly routes to access I-75, they should consider building GDOT’s previously selected route, Route G, for the 411 Connector. At least Route G is further south for those traveling towards Atlanta. Plus, it would be a limited access highway; meaning motorists could get to the interstate faster than GA 140.

As it stands, GDOT’s Route D-VE will remain mired in cost, environmental and legal problems, and will probably never be completed. According to reports, construction on Route D-VE would not even begin until 2019 — and that’s the best case scenario.

GA 140 or possibly Route G could be constructed much sooner, as it would cost much less and does not require near the engineering and legal hurdles. In the meantime, GA 140 or Route G should be at the top of our regional transportation list.