^Huge negative impact on everyone in the region. Study after study after study has shown the negative impacts (on health, environment, land values, etc) of sprawl. Highways in particular are noted for causing urban decay. Building more highway lanes does not reduce congestion. It *increases* traffic through induced demand. This project will have a superficial benefit to some wealthy suburbanites while negatively impacting the region as a whole.
Just a few scholarly sources incase you don't buy my argument
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...65856499000476
"The results strongly support the hypothesis that added lane mileage can induce significant additional travel."
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...65856409001293
"road density and urban spatial size have positive and statistically significant effects on travel demand in the US urban areas."
In Atlanta there has been a close relationship between sprawl and miles traveled, and corresponding air pollution:
http://www.atlantaregional.com/File%...0-%20FINAL.pdf
(See especially page 5 and 6)
Negative impact of our traffic on health in Atlanta:
http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/285/7/897.short
"These data provide support for efforts to reduce air pollution and improve health via reductions in motor vehicle traffic."