Quote:
Originally Posted by shivtim
I didn't see anybody critique the aesthetics of the bridge/park. Several people pointed out that it would be really bad from a public health perspective. The two thoughts are independent. I think it's a horrible idea as currently designed. The level of ozone and particulate matter in the park will be dangerous.
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The question of the design pf the bridge/park is a matter of judgement. The public health impact is another matter. We routinely build next to and over congested roads and highways that have high pollution and environmental impact concerns. The entire connector is a prime example of this and in particular the building of residences. It is a very complicated issue, particularly as standing traffic is particularly of concern. There are varying estimates on safe distances from such highways, but most of the new residential construction near the connector in Midtown falls within a zone that many in environmental health would consider to be harmful. And, of course, driving on the connector exposes one to high levels of particulates. The Buckhead partial cover will not be without such concerns, but a tunnel also is problematic, both because of the high level of contaminants for traffic within the tunnel and because the cumulated pollution must be vented somewhere. Nonetheless, there is hope that in the long run highly efficient combustion engines with good catalytic converters and the emergence of electric vehicles will greatly reduce, if not eliminate, these problems. This hope allows one to be more accepting of a partial cover at this time.