After laying dormant for the last several months, talks of a long-delayed interchange at Interstate 65 and County Road 222 are once again surfacing.
Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) director John Cooper, along with ALDOT division engineer Johnny Harris, state representatives, and city and county officials gathered recently to discuss the future of the project. And though there was still no definite answer given as to when ground may be broke, Cullman County Commission Chairman James Graves said he felt good about what was said.
"Mr. Cooper said he felt we had a good project," Graves said. "He felt firm about it. I feel personally we came away with positive feelings and feel it will open new stimulus. We just have to make sure what we've got to have done on our end is ready."
Originally ALDOT had targeted the project to begin in 2012, with a projected cost of between $1.95 to $2.92 million; however, due to transportation appropriation funds often being reallocated it has caused the project to stall.
"Money is an issue," state Sen. Paul Bussman said. "But I think we've got a commitment with city and county."
Should the city, county, and the town of Good Hope come up with the matching funds required and have the application for the project submitted to the state by the Oct. 1 deadline, Bussman said it's possible things could get rolling soon, should Gov. Robert Bentley authorize it in December.
"ALDOT already has all of the drawings," Bussmann said. "So if we could get it authorized and approved in December, ALDOT feels we could let the project in the summer and then start construction when that is complete."
When Topre located in Cullman nearly 10 years ago, officials there indicated an interchange near industrial park would alleviate congestion along Alabama Highway 69 and County Road 222. Local officials also saw the potential for growth there.
"It is a very important piece of the puzzle for economic development in Cullman and Cullman County," Bussman said. "It could be a tremendous economic boost as far as restaurants, etc. We have a clear slate to work with there that has a lot of potential, not only for the city and county, but for Good Hope, too."
Good Hope Mayor Corey Harbison sees the project as a win-win situation for his town because the affected area is within the Good Hope city limits.
* Ashley Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 225, or by email at agraves@cullmantimes.com
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Talks of a long-delayed interchange at Interstate 65 and County Road 222 are once again surfacing. BENJAMIN BULLARD
Discussion
222 interchange looks promising; economic benefits would be plentiful
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