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Mon-Fay hearing raises ennvironmental concerns
Tuesday, October 16, 2001 By Jan Ackerman, Post-Gazette Staff Writer
Correction/Clarification: (Published Oct. 17, 2001) Mayor Tom Murphy's third and final town meeting regarding the Mon-Fayette Expressway is scheduled at 7:30 tonight at Burgwin Elementary School for Hazelwood and Greenfield residents. In our story yesterday about the second of those three meetings, we said, erroneously, that the final meeting would be held last night.
With Pittsburgh trying to develop its riverfronts, build trails and expand Frick Park, some city residents at a town meeting last night questioned how the Mon-Fayette Expressway would improve the city's livability.
John Shields, who lives near the Monongahela River in Swisshelm Park, said the wildlife -- wild turkeys, blue herons and other birds that inhabit the area -- would be destroyed by the massive toll road.
"If this road goes through, it will be terrible," Shields said.
Kathy Smith of Squirrel Hill said Pittsburgh should follow the example of Portland, Ore., which moved a highway away from its riverfront to improve livability.
"I do not think I would want my convenience enhanced at the expense of Duck Hollow," Smith said. "There have to be more creative ways to relieve traffic congestion."
About 150 residents of Squirrel Hill, Duck Hollow and Swisshelm Park attended last night's meeting at Allderdice High School. It was the second of three town meetings called by Mayor Tom Murphy to gather public opinion on the proposed $1.2 billion, 24-mile northern section of the Mon-Fayette Expressway.
Murphy said the final route has not been determined, but the right of way likely will be along the northern bank of the Monongahela River. He said it will cross into the city at Duck Hollow, just across the river from Homestead.
Frank Kempf, assistant chief engineer for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, said the highway would parallel the CSX railroad tracks in Duck Hollow. He said anyone who can currently see or hear the trains from the top of Nine Mile Run would be able to see or hear the expressway.
Not all speakers opposed the new highway. One man said it might relieve city traffic in places like South Braddock Avenue and open up new economic opportunities.
Kempf said that within the next six months, the state will release a draft environmental impact statement, to be followed by a series of public hearings.
The third of Murphy's meetings is 7:30 tomorrow night at Burgwin Elementary School for Hazelwood and Greenfield residents.
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