Some council members oppose I-69

Bloomington City Council members Chris Gaal and Andy Ruff will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. Friday about a letter sent to Governor O'Bannon opposing construction of I-69 through Bloomington. \nCouncil members Tim Mayer, Anthony Pizzo, Patricia Cole, Michael Diekoff and Jeffrey Willsey also signed the letter. \nThe letter addresses cultural, economic and environmental impacts on Bloomington if the interstate is built, citing Oliver Winery as one example of a local business that would be lost if the road cuts through Bloomington at the current State Road 37 path.\nCouncilmen David Sabbagh and Jason Banach did not sign the letter.\n"My position on I-69 is the same now as it was in 1999. I support the development of I-69 through the southwest corridor of Bloomington," Sabbagh said. "We should use existing roads and minimize new construction." \nSabbagh said that the road could bring more economic development, like high-tech jobs and manufacturing.\nThe press conference will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 401 S. Morton St.