Dear Editor:

I am opposed to putting tolls on the U.S. 35 upgrade to pay for completion. Why not wait until funds are available to complete the Henderson to the Buffalo Bridge section?

Was this road considered for the Stimulus Funds as was Corridor H for which I understand West Virginia turned down some $21 million because the necessary preparation work for the two bridges that would have been covered had not been completed? With the number of deaths recorded on old U.S. 35 should not this project have been a major consideration in allocating the Federal Stimulus funds available to West Virginia even over the Corridor H project?

Del. Brady Paxton of Putnam County indicated that an option would be to wait until there is enough money to complete the U.S. 35 upgrade. But he didn’t “think that’s what the people want.” Have the people of Mason and Putnam counties been given a voice on whether they want a toll road? Have the people of West Virginia been given a voice? Why not put this to a vote?

I further suggest that no toll should be charged on the completed section from the Buffalo Bridge to W.Va. 34 since this has already been paid for with matching federal funds and our taxes.

My concern is this question: “Will this be another West Virginia Turnpike situation with tolls on the US 35 upgrade for the rest of our lives?” Having been stuck on the turnpike for some 20 hours on Dec. 18, 2009, I feel another West Virginia toll road is ill-advised. With the prospect of another toll road will we be depending upon outside road commission for maintenance, upkeep, and snow removal as we have with the West Virginia Turnpike?

Gene Zopp

Gallipolis Ferry