U.S. Highway 31 project in Hartselle receives state funding

By Marian Accardi

For the Enquirer

Hartselle Mayor Randy Garrison said U.S. Highway 31 improvements are moving forward with state funding to reduce hazards on the congested road and boost the local economy.

Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Transportation announced last week that more than $45 million in funding is being awarded to cities and counties for road and bridge projects, including a project in Hartselle to modify the existing median on U.S. Highway 31 from Curry Street to Sparkman Street, adding left turn lanes and deceleration lanes.

“Traffic continues to grow on 31,” Garrison said. The improvements on the road will “make it safer and will encourage economic growth and development.”

The state money is to go toward the first phase of a two-phase master plan. In the second phase, Sparkman Street at its northern end will merge into U.S. Highway 31, and a traffic signal will be added, Garrison said.

The state money is made available through the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program-II that was created under the Rebuild Alabama Act. The Rebuild Alabama Act requires ATRIP-II to be an annual program setting aside a minimum of $30 million off the top of ALDOT’s share of new gas tax revenue for projects of local interest on the state highway system.

Motorists started paying 2 cents more per gallon for gasoline Oct. 1 when the second phase of the state’s 10-cent tax increase went into effect. The increase was passed by the Legislature in 2019.

Of the $1.85 million U.S. 31 project, about $1.5 million will come from the state, and Hartselle will provide $331,696. Garrison said Hartselle’s share will come from the city’s general fund.

“We wouldn’t be able to do the project at this time without the ATRIP money,” Garrison said.

Twenty-seven projects were selected for funding by the ATRIP-II Committee created by the Rebuild Alabama Act. State Sen. Arthur Orr. R-Decatur, who is a member of the committee, said it reviewed the submitted projects last week.

“This (U.S. Highway 31 project) will organize traffic flow a lot better,” Orr said. “Right now, you have to cut through the median.”

Of the awarded projects, 20 were from cities and counties contributing local funds, for a total of about $15.7 million, but matching funds were not a requirement to be eligible.

It is anticipated some projects will be under contract during fiscal 2021, but all projects are required to move forward within two years of the awarding of funds.

Garrison said he hopes the city will bid the project this year.

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Cerrowire expansion named finalist in Business Alabama Awards  

At a Glance

Work begins on repairing two bridges over I-65 in Morgan County in coming weeks

At a Glance

Tickets for Morgan County Sports Hall of Fame banquet available

Falkville

Morgan County volunteers celebrated at annual fire department banquet 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Man jailed for stealing car from jail after earlier release 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Police: Hartselle man encouraged children to have sex inside his apartment

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Hartselle High Medical Academy students practice on new EKG simulator  

Falkville

Falkville man arrested on murder, drug charges  

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Four Morgan roads getting reduced speed limits 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Hartselle native serves with U.S. Navy

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Hartselle police: Husband beats wife after finding male contacts in her phone 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Season passes now available for Hartselle Aquatic Center

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Morgan County Spring Clean-Up 2024 kicks off next month

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Morgan County High School Class of 1974 set to reunite after 50 years

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

ALEA’s 2024 Spring Boating Basics and License courses underway 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Hands on the wheel: Alabama law focuses on distracted driving

At a Glance

Woman killed in interstate crash in Falkville

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Stisher, Frost in runoff for Morgan District 3 commissioner, Abercrombie reelected

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Halbrooks defeats Dobbs in Morgan County school board race 

Hartselle

Crafting dreams: A woodworker’s journey from hobby to artistry 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Stisher, Frost in runoff; Abercrombie wins seat in Morgan commission races

At a Glance

Incumbent Dobbs loses to Halbrooks in race for Morgan BOE seat

At a Glance

Sheriff’s Academy open for registration  

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Hartselle woman models at New York Fashion Week 

x