1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

Building a new Interstate 11 through the Avra Valley near Tucson would irreparably harm sensitive ecosystems and protected areas. The proposed route cuts through the Tucson Mitigation Corridor, established decades ago to preserve fragile desert habitat and facilitate wildlife migration. It also threatens Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mountain Park, and nearby national monuments by fragmenting wildlife corridors and increasing pollution. Rather than bulldozing this ecologically rich area, I urge exploring the viable alternative of co-locating I-11 along existing Interstates 10 and 19. This would avoid destroying invaluable public lands while still achieving infrastructure goals. The hefty price tag and permanent environmental sacrifice of the current proposal outweigh any perceived benefits. Please reconsider this destructive highway plan that disregards environmental protections.