The total wealth of the Greater Cleveland region as well as the population has been relatively static for many years. I propose that all new highway projects funded by the state or federal government, involving roads, new lanes, or new interchanges in undeveloped or underdeveloped areas be scrutinized to determine the detrimental effects and damage they will cause to older nearby areas. Projects that will cause or contribute to substantial disinvestment or job loss or population loss should not be funded. The Ohio General Assembly did try to address this issue regarding tax abatement policy when it passed Senate Bill 19 in 1984. Transportation criteria make up 70 points and include traffic counts, accidents, capacity, and macro corridors.
Nothing is included about the negative consequences.
Therefore, the process is, in my opinion, incomplete and inadequate. Any decision-making process for major new highway construction or tax abatement authorized or administered by the state must take into account the effects of urban sprawl. The long-term effects of urban sprawl are immense. Wealth, population, and property values are moved from one area of the region to another. One area s investment and job creation is another area s disinvestment and job loss.