CARBONDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

714 East Walnut Street
Eastgate Shopping Center
Carbondale, Illinois 62901

April 3, 2003

Senator James Inhofe

United States Senate

453 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Inhofe:

As Executive Director of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, I am a member of the 4-127 Coalition. The 4-127 project is the expansion of the current 2-lane highway to 4-lane from west of Murphysboro, IL to eight miles north of Pinckneyville, IL. The projected cost of the project is $80 million.

The expansion of Route 127 to a four-lane highway is important to the economic development of southern Illinois. It will offer Carbondale and regional communities a trade corridor to St. Louis and beyond. The 4-127 project is necessary to efficiently move goods and services to and from southern Illinois. In addition, the project will provide easier access to tourist sites and events throughout southern Illinois.

It is for these reasons that I respectfully ask for your support of this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Sara Berkbigler,

Executive Director