By By Adrienne McKenzie
Construction work has begun on the new access road leading from Jack Springs Road to the Atmore Industrial Park.
According to Atmore mayor Howard Shell, the construction began approximately two weeks ago and will conclude "in the very near future."
The new road will shorten the drive to Interstate 65 for those working at the Industrial Park, Shell said.
"The access road will cut from Jack Springs Road to Highway 31," he said. "This will be a tremendous asset to people located in the Atmore Industrial Park that would need faster access to the interstate. It will put them within three miles of the interstate."
Shell said not only will the new road benefit those headed to or from the Atmore Industrial Park, but it will help the community overall.
"This will also benefit the city in marketing additional industrial sites in the park," Shell said.
The current entrance into the industrial park is on Hwy. 31 and semi-trucks must drive through downtown Atmore to reach the park.
The Atmore City Council received a grant from the Alabama Department of Transportation for $880,000 to help fund the new entryway to the park. The Highway Improvement Program made the grant possible.
Shell feels that Atmore Industrial Park will be a "prominent player" in the ThyssenKrupp steel mill, which will be located in the northern Mobile County region.
The park is currently the home of Atmore Industries, Masland Carpet, Alto Products, Tiger Sunbelt, Escofab and Swift Lumber.