Position Statements

UNITED WE STAND

The page you are viewing was Last Updated on: Sunday, February 27, 2000

When appropriate, FAECO presents Position Statements on important issues to the Mon-Fayette and Southern Beltway projects. Listed here are positions of the group listed chronologically, with the most recent first.

Support for Interstate Designation for the Mon-Fayette Expressway.

	FAECO supports Fayette County Commissioner Harry Albert's proposal to have the MFE to become an interstate highway.
	Fayette County is one of 20 (out of 67) Pennsylvania counties that doesn't have an interstate highway within its borders.
	The trucking industry and motoring public prefer the convenience and safety of an interstate highway.
	An interstate highway for Fayette County would magnify the opportunities for economic development for a county with high unemployment and a severe migration of our young people to other areas looking for gainful employment.

Fayette County needs a continuous expressway (Interstate).

	Limited access and a highway system that avoids congested areas is a must for Fayette County's development
	An unbroken link with I-68 in West Virginia to I-70 in Pennsylvania will propel Fayette County into the 21st century.
	Highway users, whether they are public or commercial, look for ease and convenience to get to their destination.
	A continuous expressway (interstate) affords Fayette County the opportunity to take advantage of the heavy traffic volumes to entice travelers to visit our numerous recreational facilities and historic sites.

FAECO believes that the preferred north or south alternative that is ultimately chosen for the Uniontown to Brownsville portion of the Mon-Fayette Expressway must be based on what is best for Fayette County's future.

FAECO supports Centerville/Luzerne Township to North Union Township Termini for the Uniontown to Brownsville project.

	Centerville/Luzerne Township terminus gives Fayette County a new bridge across the Monongahela River and a continuous link to Toll Road 43.
	A new bridge provides direct and convenient access to the Brownsville Industrial Area and opens up the Luzerne Township/Brownsville Borough river front to commercial private development.
	Luzerne Township/Brownsville Borough riverfront area is underdeveloped because of ingress and egress problems. This area has the potential for providing superior economic development for western Fayette County and eastern Washington Counties. The new bridge will solve all of the problems associated with ingress and egress and contribute to Fayette County's economic recovery.
	While North Union Terminus presently has some commercial and industrial development, the availability of a limited access east/west corridor will make this site more attractive to future investors.

Need for pro-active citizens group.

	Fayette County has a long history of neglect from Harrisburg.
	The Mon-Fayette Expressway is not a pork barrel project for Fayette County. Route 40 is Fayette County's main east-west highway and it was built over 200 years ago to handle the horse and buggy era. It is a dangerous and substandard highway that cannot be improved.
	The Mon-Fayette Expressway has strong united public support within Fayette County that cannot be matched by any other county.
	FAECO was born because of a need to improve and enhance our woeful transportation system.
	Fayette County does not have the political influence other counties enjoy, thus, the need for a strong citizens group.
	FAECO collected 24,887 signatures on petitions in support of Fayette County's expressway sections.
	FAECO has a membership of over 200 residents who are committed to the completion of the expressway.
	Fayette Countians are not asking for special treatment; only fair treatment. Our future depends on the completion of the Fayette County expressway sections.
	Any proposal to delay or omit the Uniontown-to-Brownsville section will result in a public outcry and demonstrations to voice our dissatisfaction.
	For 40 years, Fayette County has been promised an expressway and we have waited patiently for the promises to be kept. Our patience has run out and it is now time to build our expressway.
	FAECO will continue to monitor the progress of the expressway and cooperate with the Turnpike officials to ensure the completion of the Uniontown-to-Brownsville section.
	FAECO also recognizes that the strong support demonstrated by our Federal, State and local elected officials coupled with the public's involvement has resulted in steady progress, yet we are still years away from ribbon cutting.
	FAECO strongly advocates that all of the studies be fast tracked to insure that the completion of the expressway occurs in the very near future.