The controversy surrounding the construction of Interstate 99 continued at a public forum last night.

The League of Women Voters of Centre County held a meeting at the Ferguson Township Building titled "Life after Highways — Probable Futures & Known Realities."

The purpose of the presentation was to discuss the issues that will be brought up in the community following the 2003 completion of I-99.

About 50 residents crowded into the building's meeting room to listen to Roxanne Shiels, project director of "Vision 2020: Living with I-99." Shiels discussed the positives and negatives the interstate will bring.

"We've identified some of our biggest fears of rapid growth, loss of open spaces and loss of the community's character," Shiels said.

The presentation focused on what the interstate may bring in the future by examining current trends and possible future trends.

"To understand where we're headed we need to understand where we've been," Shiels said.

One of the major concerns about the highway deals with the possible onset of more traffic congestion in Centre County.

"Without the proper planning these roads can be worse off in 2020 than they are now," Shiels said.

However, the interstate also has the possibility of diverting traffic from College Avenue.

"If you push one thing it moves another," Shiels said.

Another problem the highway could bring about is the increase in automobile accidents and crime, Shiels said.

Due to cold air inversions, residents will also be able to hear the noise of I-99 traffic for miles, she said.

During the forum, Shiels asked all 23 municipalities that will be affected by the completion of the interstate to work together in order to combat predicted challenges.

"I-99 is the common thread and the wake up call for municipalities to work together," she said.

However, many residents were skeptical of how to prevent seemingly inevitable consequences of the highway.

"The odds (of the program working) are so far from success I kind of wonder why you keep plugging it," State College resident Jim McClure said.

McClure envisioned Centre County being a Los Angeles-style development after the implementation of the highway.

Shiels stressed that the community needs to be hopeful about the project since I-99 is coming no matter what kind of controversies or problems it may bring.

"It will improve certain aspects of travel patterns and help to make our community's economy stronger," she said.

State College Borough Council member Elizabeth Goreham urged the community to work together to preserve the aspects of the area Centre County was most proud of.

"We need to ensure the preservation of open space, water quality and quality of life," she said.

While some residents thought the mission of the program was an impossible one, others argued that they should at least make an attempt to give the program a chance.

"The stakes are so high we better do something," Port Matilda resident Bob Eberhart said.

Residents seemed to agree that a balance must be achieved between developed land and Centre County's key traits after the highway is constructed.

"I think there has to be a balance between development that's going to occur and retaining the key features of what Centre County has and the quality of life it currently has," State College resident Matthew Smith said.

Guest speaker Bernie McGurl, executive director of the Lackawanna River Corridor Association, spoke of the effects of an interstate built in Lackawanna Valley.

Shiels will hold two more public forums within the next two months, one about the ultimate future and another concerning the sustainable future of life after the highway.