Build a 26-mile road through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Bryson City to Tennessee along the shore of Lake Fontana

Cost: $375 million for a paved 30 mph road or $299 million for a gravel 15 mph road.*

Timeframe: Barring no environmental lawsuits and steady funding from Congress, the road could be completed by 2020 at the earliest.

Economic impact: 207 jobs due to increased tourist traffic upon completion of paved road.

Give Swain County $52 million in lieu of the road

Cost: $52 million

Timeframe: As soon as a bill could be passed in Congress appropriating the money.

Economic impact: Jobs created depend on how the money is invested and the type of projects it goes toward.

Build a 4-mile road into the park leading to a cultural heritage center, boat dock and major visitor facility on the lakeshore

Cost: $93 million with a paved road or $77 million with a gravel road.*

Timeframe: Barring no environmental lawsuits and steady funding from Congress, the project could be completed by 2010.

Economic impact: 41 jobs following construction of the center with paved access road or 23 with gravel road.

*The cost estimates are in 2004 dollars and do not account for inflation, which could add significant cost over the course of the project. The estimates also do not include mitigation, which could cost millions in enhancements to compensate for environmental damage.