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May 13, 2009

County requests public input on big road projects

By Patrick McCreless

The Cullman County Commission is requesting public input on three proposed high priority transportation projects for the area.

During the commission’s regular meeting Tuesday, Chairman James Graves said Rep. Robert Aderholt’s office was trying to obtain funding for three multi-million dollar road projects in Cullman County and required public comments as part of that process.

“People who want to send e-mails, letters, are more than welcome to do so,” Graves said.

Graves said the three high priority projects, which were agreed upon by the county commission and the Cullman City Council, include a four-lane expansion of Alabama Highway 157 from U.S. Highway 31 to Alabama Highway 69 and a four-lane expansion of U.S. Highway 278 from 4th Ave. in downtown Cullman to Alabama Highway 69 at East Point.

The third project involves an interchange from County Road 222 onto Interstate 65.

Comments may be mailed to the Cullman County Commission at 500 Second Avenue SW, Cullman, AL. 35055. Comments may be sent by e-mail to jgraves@co.cullman.al.us.

In addition to requesting public input, the commission passed resolutions to apply for grants for the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office and the Cullman County Water Department.

Buchanan Jackson, project coordinator for the county, said the sheriff’s grant would amount to $67,000 with no matching funds and would be funded through the federal stimulus package.

“All we have to do to get the money is apply for it,” Jackson said.

The sheriff’s office plans to use the funding to purchase a new patrol vehicle, a narcotics K-9 dog and various weapons.

Cullman County Water Department Manager David Bussman said the $400,000 water grant, if approved, would be funded through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) and would require $40,000 in matching funds.

The water department would use the funding to replace five miles of 3-inch water lines with 6-inch water lines for 96 low to moderate income households, located on County Roads 490, 1427, 1447 and 1332.

“With the 6-inch lines, we could put in hydrants to provide fire protection,” Bussman said.

In other business the commission:

‰ recognized May 10-16 as National Hospital Week.

‰ authorized the chairman to sign a two-year contract with Johnson Mechanical Services for generator service.

‰ authorized the county to pay $250 in back taxes on donated property.



‰ Patrick McCreless can be reached by e-mail at patrickm@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131 ext. 270.

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