Heidi Bunch –
Nevada congressman Mark Amodei met with Mineral County Commissioners at their July 20 meeting to clear up concerns over the I-11 project.
In an effort to help clear up concerns regarding the I-11 corridor and the possible placement through Mineral County, Nevada Congressman Mark Amodei met with the Mineral County Commissioners at their regularly scheduled meeting on July 20.
The congressman explained the Yucca Mountain issue that could be a possibility in bringing the interstate through this county.
“Take this opportunity to plan in advance, think about things, do things through economic development,” Congressman Amodei advised the commissioners.
The congressman also discussed if Yucca Mountain goes forward with the storage of waste, there could be a possibility of land transfers with the government.
“Let’s take that opportunity,” he said.
With that in mind comes the next step that is determining the best route for the proposed I-11 corridor.
Discussing various other interstate projects, Amodei said that the question that is looming right now is, “How do you get from Tonopah to Fallon?”
After looking over the proposed map with Mineral County Economic Development Director, Shelley Hartmann, Congressman Amodei said, “It warms the cockles of my heart [referring to the map] as it gets rid of issues that can appear.”
In a county that is mostly federal owned land, the proposed map helps to alleviate some of the questions that could be asked by Nevada Department of Transportation officials.
The congressman spoke about the things in Mineral County that are near and dear to his heart, including the carp boat on the backside of the lake, “butt rock”, purchasing his 1957 pickup from a gentleman at the corrals to restore and Cecil the Serpent.
“First of all U.S. Highway 95 is never going to go away. That road will always be there,” he assured.
Residents are urged to sit down and talk with their planning and zoning officials as well as county commissioners about their views regarding the 500-mile long project called I-11.
