The U.S. government is currently poised to roll out a new strip of asphalt all the way from Loredo, Texas up to Port Huron, Michigan. Interstate 69, if completed, will stretch over 2000 miles, through Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan.
The main purpose of this interstate is to provide a channel for trading goods between Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. It would act as a piece of the life-support system for the North American Free Trade Agreement (or NAFTA) and, if enacted, the Free Trade Area of the Americas. Some are calling it the “NAFTA Superhighway”.
For the full story, listen to the radio piece (downloadable as a .mp3).
Homefries your report as usual is fantastic! I'm glad we have some good reporting in this city from time to time!
I am a bit confused however by your statement regarding Zapatistas organizing against this project. They are located in Chiapas and the project does not physically enter those southern Mexican states. On principle and in light of probable future effects of the project I can see why they would mobilize against this but in reality I do not see that they could. The FZLN, which is small today but has it's most active members located in the capital, could possibly do some work against this but not without strong support from other groups, which I assume is what is happening now. I don't doubt the Zapatista's or EZLN have issued statements against this project but if that is all, (not to diminutize their statements as they are dealing with paramilitary threats/attacks as well as from the government every day), what other groups of folks are organizing against this? Any websites up? (US, Canadian, or Mexican).
There are always idiots who oppose the building of anything. Quoting the fall of the tower of Babel, etc etc. The US can always use a new highway and a fresh coat of pavement. What is this mumbo jumbo? All states have a prerogative to improve infrastructure and increase commerce. It is basic Civilization 101.
Dare I even say that Mexicans might benefit from it? Dare I say that people may live along this new highway, and that it will spur great new home development along the commute? A straight line connecting hitherto unconnected towns?
What a GREAT idea. Let's do it all over the country.
Re: Opposition Mounts to "NAFTA Superhighway" I-69
I hope that helps. Please post anything else you find.
Re: Opposition Mounts to "NAFTA Superhighway" I-69
by sara saraschoenleber (nospam) yahoo.com(unverified)
20 Jun 2005
hey homefries-
lovely article. i transcribed it and would love to supplement it with some of my research to publish in The Washington Spark (www.washingtonspark.org). In order to publish, I need a hi-resolution picture - ideally fullscreen or bigger- of the map showing i69's route. if you have this or could tell me who to contact to get it, please let me know!
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