Alabama in Need of Road Repairs to Spur Economic Development
A report out this week from a Washington think tank outlines the top transportation maintenance projects it says are needed to improve economic growth in Alabama.
The report from TRIP, a transportation research group, finds it would take $4.6 billion to make those improvements to state roads.
According to the report, vehicle travel in Alabama has increased more than 54 percent since 1990. In just the last year that number is up 3.4 percent.
“That’s a positive sign,” says Rocky Moretti, director of research and policy for TRIP. “It reflects economic activity. It reflects people’s ability to be more mobile and take advantage of their ability to get places.”
More drivers means more wear and tear on roads and more traffic, Moretti says.
Of the top 20 projects, seven are in the Birmingham area, according to the report. The most urgent include widening Interstate 65 through portions of Birmingham and Shelby County. But there is also great need for road improvement in rural areas.
“We have a relatively nice and well maintained airport, but if you went out the road to that airport, you would not want to get on a plane if you thought it was maintained like the road,” says Don Mitchell, executive director of the Blount County Economic Development Council.
It’s hard to attract businesses to Blount County if the roads around the airport look as if four-wheel drive is needed to traverse them, Mitchell says.
Transportation improvements boost Alabama’s economy in the short-term by creating jobs and in the long-term by making the state more economically competitive, TRIP says.
Indiana completes undefeated season and wins first national title, beating Miami
Indiana bullied its way into the history books Monday night, toppling Miami 27-21 to put the finishing touch on a rags-to-riches story, an undefeated season and the national title.
Top U.S. archbishops denounce American foreign policy
The three most-senior cardinals leading U.S. archdioceses issued the rebuke in a joint statement on Monday, saying recent policies have thrown America's "morale role in confronting evil" into question.
Italian fashion designer Valentino dies at 93
Garavani built one of the most recognizable luxury brands in the world. His clients included royalty, Hollywood stars, and first ladies.
Sheinbaum reassures Mexico after US military movements spark concern
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum quelled concerns on Monday about two recent movements of the U.S. military in the vicinity of Mexico that have the country on edge since the attack on Venezuela.
Trump says he’s pursuing Greenland after perceived Nobel Peace Prize snub
"Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize… I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace," Trump wrote in a message to the Norwegian Prime Minister.
Can exercise and anti-inflammatories fend off aging? A study aims to find out
New research is underway to test whether a combination of high-intensity interval training and generic medicines can slow down aging and fend off age-related diseases. Here's how it might work.
