Concerning Joe De Raymond's Comments on U.S. Rte 22...

The billions to be spent on widening Route 22 will only result in an eight-lane nightmare. That money could be used to hire eight full-time officers to patrol the stretch between Route 100 and Route 33 to keep the traffic at the posted speed limit of 55 mph. That would mean 24 hour a day coverage. I spent one Saturday traveling that section and the average speed was 65 - No police spotted for the entire eight hours of back and forth travel. Using just some of that money could employ these officers for well over 50 years without additional funding.

Widening will do nothing to improve safety as long as the poorly engineered approach and exit ramps remain Penn DOT designed. They are unsafe because exiting traffic and merging traffic must cross paths. Look at the skid marks on the road surface, and you will see the problem. Change the exits and you would not have to displace thousands of residents. There will be no business displacement anyway.

I foresee the planned widening will be south of the current roadway. South because that is where people live, and not where businesses, with the power of attorneys on their side, are located. The section between 7th Street and Route 512 is an example. Malls and the LVI Airport to the north...to the south apartments and residences. People will have to move, not businesses.

Why? The businesses to the north will be able to contribute more to the coffers of politicians than we homeowners south of 22 will be able to. Public comment will make no difference because if this project is like any other...once public debates are scheduled the project is all ready committed to. Public debates are just a dodge to give people the impression that they have some input.

George Myers resides at 1134 North 21st Street in Allentown.