BCT Editorial – 11/9/06

This page was last updated on November 9, 2006.

Pioneer trail; Editorial; Beaver County Times; November 9, 2006.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject editorial.

“The Findlay Connector isn’t a road to nowhere.

“However, it is a road that won’t reach its full potential until it becomes part of a southern beltway around Pittsburgh and the land in Findlay Township becomes developed.

“That’s why the sparse traffic since Toll Route 576 opened - according to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, 2,607 daily trips a day - shouldn’t be too much cause for concern. Right now, the six-mile stretch of road connects Route 60 near Pittsburgh International Airport with Route 22 in northern Washington County.

“However, plans call for it to become part of a road system that would link up with the Parkway East in eastern Allegheny County. The completion hinges on whether the turnpike commission will have enough money to complete it. If that happens, it should generate much more traffic.

“So, too, will the homes and businesses that could be built on the land the road opens up for development. Fortunately, that is not dependent on the completion of the beltway. Quick access to the airport and Route 22 should make that land more attractive to developers.

“In that sense, the Findlay Connector is a pioneer trail that must be built if growth is to come.”

[RWC] This is the second editorial in less than a month telling us how wonderful the Findlay Connector is or will be. This editorial, however, is preparing an excuse in case the toll road doesn’t meet expectations. Just as liberals do with nearly every “economic development” project, the Times tells us the Findlay Connector needs something else built for it to achieve success.