Serious transportation talks took place on Tuesday in the Shoals. Local leaders met with U.S. Representative Parker Griffith to discuss the concerns they have about what's happening now and what will happen in the future.
Griffith, a Democrat, represents Alabama's Fifth District in Congress.
Funding, expansion, and proper maintenance were the big issues during the discussion that took place on the campus of Northwest Shoals Community College. Muscle Shoals Mayor David Bradford wants the project to expand Highway 133 or Wilson Dam Highway to be put back on the fast track.
"We asked Congressman Griffith to make that a priority in the new transportation bill," says Bradford.
Bradford says since the Patton Island Bridge corridor opened, seven lanes turn into two lanes in Muscle Shoals, causing a traffic nightmare.
"Our biggest problems have been unreal amounts of traffic that backs up for as far as a mile or a mile and a half at different times during the day," explained Bradford. "There has also been basically double the number of accidents since the bridge opened up."
In Tuscumbia, many city streets are old and have large cracks and pot holes. The poor condition of the roads is the reason Tuscumbia Mayor Bill Shoemaker is concerned about making sure resources are available for road repairs and new construction.
"Up until four years ago, none of the gasoline tax money had ever been transferred out of the transportation system to cover other costs," explains Shoemaker. "However, that began a few years ago."
Shoemaker spent 40 years as a division engineer for the Alabama Department of Transportation. Shoemaker is worried that shifting money could deplete resources that are critical for road maintenance and extreme emergencies, like a deep freeze, when temperatures stay below freezing for an extended period of time.
"It simply drives the frost line lower and lower, lifting the pavement and then many of the roads will be destroyed," says Shoemaker.
Viable roads are also tied to industry. Norfolk Southern, Wise Alloys, and Occidental Chemical Corporation are all directly connected to Highway 133. Bradford says expanding the highway could help further development in the area.
Griffith, a Democrat, represents Alabama's Fifth District in Congress.
Funding, expansion, and proper maintenance were the big issues during the discussion that took place on the campus of Northwest Shoals Community College. Muscle Shoals Mayor David Bradford wants the project to expand Highway 133 or Wilson Dam Highway to be put back on the fast track.
"We asked Congressman Griffith to make that a priority in the new transportation bill," says Bradford.
Bradford says since the Patton Island Bridge corridor opened, seven lanes turn into two lanes in Muscle Shoals, causing a traffic nightmare.
"Our biggest problems have been unreal amounts of traffic that backs up for as far as a mile or a mile and a half at different times during the day," explained Bradford. "There has also been basically double the number of accidents since the bridge opened up."
In Tuscumbia, many city streets are old and have large cracks and pot holes. The poor condition of the roads is the reason Tuscumbia Mayor Bill Shoemaker is concerned about making sure resources are available for road repairs and new construction.
"Up until four years ago, none of the gasoline tax money had ever been transferred out of the transportation system to cover other costs," explains Shoemaker. "However, that began a few years ago."
Shoemaker spent 40 years as a division engineer for the Alabama Department of Transportation. Shoemaker is worried that shifting money could deplete resources that are critical for road maintenance and extreme emergencies, like a deep freeze, when temperatures stay below freezing for an extended period of time.
"It simply drives the frost line lower and lower, lifting the pavement and then many of the roads will be destroyed," says Shoemaker.
Viable roads are also tied to industry. Norfolk Southern, Wise Alloys, and Occidental Chemical Corporation are all directly connected to Highway 133. Bradford says expanding the highway could help further development in the area.
