By Staff
Our View
Next month, the Alabama Department of Transportation will hold a meeting to discuss the 4-laning of U.S. 31.
It's not a official hearing that will be held with formal presentations, but maps will be available.
While the details are yet to be worked out, the Atmore Advance supports the project, and we encourage our readers to do the same.
The 4-laning of U.S. 31 between Flomaton and Atmore will provide another throroughfare, easing congestion and increasing the economic vitality of this region.
It will make the road safer, make moving people, goods and raw materials through the county that much easier.
The first thing any major business looks at when considering where to locate a manufacturing facility, is infrastructure.
Good roads are an extremely important part of good infrastructure. Atmore already has rail access, but our roads need improvements. Trucking plays a major part in moving goods around this country.
Just look at how many timber trucks rumble down the highways and byways of this county, and you'll understand why we need this project.
The 4-laning of U.S. 31 between Flomaton and Atmore is a step in the right direction.
With two new industrial parks slated to be developed, Escambia County's transportation sector needs support.
This project has languished for nearly 20 years, a byproduct of Gov. Bill Baxley's administration when it was first proposed.
It's cropped up on five-year plans for road improvements for at least the last 10 years.
Now, it seems, the Department of Transportation is serious about improving the roads on which we drive.
It should in in all our interests to support a project that will not only improve our economic vitality, but add to our safety as well.
As we have done in the past, we do now. We ask that you join the Advance in supporting this project and let your voice be heard.
The time to act is now. We can no longer afford to wait.
You don't have to attend the meeting to let your support be known.
You may write to the following address:
R.F. Poiroux P.E. Division Engineer
Alabama Department of Transportation
1701 I-65 West Service Rd. N.
Mobile, AL 36618
email: hammamis@dot.state.al.us