However, many municipalities along the route favored by the Corps oppose highway expansion there. Transportation reformers urged the state to stop pushing the thrice-defeated project and fix safety problems along the existing road instead. "The fastest way to fix Route 6 is to respect local concerns, abide by federal environmental laws, and improve the safety of the existing Route 6," said Dana Young, an attorney at the CT Fund for the Environment.

Rhode Island long ago abandoned the original expressway proposal. But ConnDOT has doggedly pursued it. "Three times since 1987 ConnDOT sought permits for slight variations on a northern route. Three times the Corps and EPA rejected the northern routes because the new highway would destroy wetlands, pollute waterways and hurt wildlife," said CFE's Curt Johnson. In 1999, the state applied for the fourth time. "It's time for ConnDOT to stop wasting time and start working with the towns to to upgrade and fix the safety problems along Route 6," said Johnson.

The Rowland administration announced it would appeal the Corps' decision.