Big Day For Future Of Highway 98

Alabama Mobile Settlement of a lawsuit blocking construction may be discussed.

by Steve Alexander

Published: Mon, June 01, 2009 - 10:26 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, June 01, 2009 - 10:41 pm CST

Local leaders are up against a deadline: they have to work fast to settle the dispute over U.S. Highway 98.
The Mobile Area Water and Sewer System, or MAWSS, meets Wednesday and may talk about a proposed settlement of a lawsuit blocking construction of the highway by the Alabama Department of Transportation, or ALDOT.
Mobile County Commissioner Steve Nodine said he's hopeful that officials with MAWSS will sign off on a proposal by ALDOT to settle a lawsuit preventing work on Highway 98 from being finished.
The lawsuit was filed by MAWSS and the environmental group Mobile Baykeeper because they said ALDOT hadn't done enough to protect Mobile's drinking water supply from runoff during construction.
Why is the Wednesday meeting so important for the county?
Nodine said, "If we do not settle this on Wednesday, its going to be very hard for us to utilize the resources of which we have into the Big Creek Watershed because of time constraints on our grant money."
Nodine said grant money can't be used directly for the project, but they can buy land to protect the watershed.
He said, "If we cant get things settled, its going to be very difficult for us to move forward on trying to purchase the valuable land to protect the watershed. We're going to have to move forward to our next phase which is the Escatawpa River."
But Casi Callaway, the director of Mobile Baykeeper, isn't so optimistic about a settlement.
She said, "ALDOT has refused to come to the table. We've been ordered to go to mediation and we are waiting for that to happen."
As for a statement by Nodine that said he has met with all parties involved, Callaway said, "He says he's talked to all the parties. We have not had any discussions with Commissioner Nodine."
Nodine said, "I think that if MAWSS is satisfied, I'm hopeful Baykeeper will be satisfied."
Callaway said even when a settlement is reached, it will take about five years to complete Highway 98.
But Nodine thinks the work can be finished quicker.

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cmb1 Says:

Tue, Jun 02, 2009 at 9:25 am

Casey Callaway go get a life! You are more trouble than you’ll ever be worth.. For once in your life think about the economy and all the people this road will help (to commute to town everyday)and not yourself (before the cameras). MAWSS do the right thing.

mob1 Says:

Tue, Jun 02, 2009 at 4:29 am

Ughhhh…. tree huggers get in the way yet again. These dang enviromental groups cause more trouble than good.