In regards to the proposed highway
improvements between Copperopolis and Angels camp, there are two
important issues: The process for selecting alignment and the project
impact on local property owners.
Choosing a highway alignment by process of
"Groupthink" may not be the best way because the participants are not
highway design experts and the result will tend to follow the strongest
political faction. The process tends to create much unnecessary delay.
This is why our founders, in protecting the minority, created a
republic - not a democracy. Once the purpose is decided, such as
public convenience and safety, the engineers should propose the best
route. Land acquisition is an important event and the effects can last
centuries. According to studies, having some curves
reduces monotony and improves safety, but travel on this route in the
future may be by vehicles not even yet invented. It seems to make sense
to design for high speeds even if the speed limit would be set at 65 MPH
presently.
Highway projects can have a profound affect on
property owners. The uncertainness of routing tends to create
regulatory oppression because the property value may be harmed even if
the land is not taken by eminent domain. Who would buy land not knowing
what you can do with it? If the process would be fair to the affected
property owners, they should be compensated for all losses due to the
proposed project. This also seems to be what the US Constitution
requires.
