PRESS: Photos, Full Press Release

In honor of Fossil Fools Day, Tucson activists hung a banner condemning two proposed highways from each side of the city’s iconic “Snake Bridge.”

“With so little time to shift our way of life away from its dependence on fossil fuels, building new roads is not just foolish — it’s insane,” said Tucson resident Alex Larkin.

Reading “No New Roads: Put the Brakes on Global Warming!”, the banners were situated just above the proposed starting point of the proposed Downtown Links highway. This highway would connect I-10 to Aviation Highway, punching through the downtown Warehouse Arts District. Area residents have condemned the planned road, saying it would destroy community spaces and historic buildings without providing any local benefit.

The banner also condemned the proposed I-10 Bypass, which would stretch 250 miles from the Willcox area to Buckeye, allowing freight trucks to avoid Phoenix and Tucson traffic. The road has met widespread local opposition on the grounds that it would destroy sensitive wildlife habitat, degrade the character of rural communities and pave the way for sprawl in relatively undisturbed areas. In addition, the groups San Pedro Wild and Root Force have criticized the road for furthering Arizona’s dependence on imports at a time when oil and water are running out and a shift to local economies is desperately needed.

On March 21, the State Transportation Board unanimously voted to proceed with plans for the I-10 bypass, although it removed two of the most controversial routes from consideration. Bypass opponents have claimed a partial victory and vowed to keep organizing against the road until the entire plan is abandoned. Likewise, downtown residents have stated their intention to resist Downtown Links and see the project canceled.

Interstate 10 is a Corridor of the Future.