The following will strive to offer more information concerning Corridor ‘K’ and Interstate-3. Construction of Corridor K would literally pave the way for Interstate 3 to slice through the mountains in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, bringing with it air, water, and noise pollution, forever changing local communities, landscape and wildlife habitats, not to mention the waste of taxpayer money for projects that do not have a justified need or purpose. Imagine the impact of an interstate going through Helen, GA northward through the Unicoi Gap, bisecting the A/T, carving its destructive path to Hiawassee, then  turning north to Hayesville, and then west to Murphy and ultimately on towards Knoxville. Aside from even the horrendous adverse environmental impacts, the costs for such a monumental conservation disaster would further exacerbate our country’s financial (deficit) condition.

The overall plans for Corridor K, generally aimed at linking Chattanooga with Asheville, were conceived and put into play over 40 years ago. Although there has been environmental analysis as sections have come up, there was never an environmental analysis, environmental planning, or any real environmental consideration of the entire route. Because of this lack of planning and forethought, the sections that have not been constructed are planned through the most difficult terrain and some of the most sensitive habitat and scenic areas of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.

These sections, if constructed, would cause profound environmental and scenic destruction and would cost billions in taxpayer money to build. These uncompleted sections have been put on hold for precisely these reasons. Their environmental and economic costs are just too high. Recently there have been efforts to revive these projects. This effort is ill-advised and ignores the environmental impacts and the high cost of these projects when existing roads need maintenance. If this road were to be punched through, one of the hardest sections of I-3 to construct would already be completed.

These mountain slopes also contain numerous headwater streams that constitute and drain into fishing streams including prime trout waters. These streams are also upstream of municipal water supplies and recreation lakes. Significant portions of the land that the route would pass through are publicly owned, primarily national forest lands. These lands constitute valued wildlife habitat, including bear habitat, rare plant and animal habitat, and threatened and endangered species.

In the Ocoee area of eastern Tennessee, the corridor K route would pass between Big Frog and Little Frog Wilderness areas, passing virtually adjacent to the Little Frog Wilderness. Noise and deterioration of visual quality are likely to be apparent along the slopes of this area. The planned route would also pass very close to the Olympic Whitewater Center, degrading the recreation experience in the area. Bicycle and hiking trails near the Center would be destroyed and likely could not be relocated satisfactorily. Several trails would be destroyed, disrupted, or impacted, including the Benton MacKaye Trail, which would be crossed by the Corridor K route.

Nevertheless, the Corridor K project is listed as project of the Appalachian Regional Commission and appears to have some support from elected officials at various levels of government. Most of their misguided rationale stems from the dollars they hope to bring to their states to impress their constituents.

The cause for citizens to be concerned is clear and there are numerous opportunities for MHH club members to get involved.  

More information, as well as volunteer and/or donor opportunities can be obtained from the former Stop_I-3 organization, now called WaysSouth, using the web site: