Mobile County’s Long Dirt Road

Wilmer Highway 98 Mobile County could have a long dirt road if ALDOT and MAWSS can't work out their lawsuit.

by Tiffany Craig

Published: Tue, May 26, 2009 - 5:12 pm CST Last Updated: Tue, May 26, 2009 - 5:20 pm CST

The Mobile Area Water and Sewer System is expected to meet (in private) on Wednesday to discuss settling their lawsuit against the Alabama Department of Transportation.

The suit was filed by MAWSS and Mobile Baykeeper. The plaintiffs don't believe that ALDOT has done enough to protect Big Creek Lake-- which is Mobile's drinking water supply.

ALDOT has admitted making environmental mistakes in the past and tell us that they want to work out a deal too.

In the meantime, work will continue on an 8-mile stretch of New 98 between Wilmer and the Mississippi State Line but it won't be paved. ALDOT doesn't plan to start that phase until the lawsuit is over.

Here's the statement from Tony Harris with ALDOT.
"We share with the people of Mobile County a desire to see a new, safer Highway 98. We’re working hard to resolve legal issues associated with our new Highway 98 project, and we remain hopeful that we can reach a settlement soon so we can move forward with the next phases of construction."

Mobile County Commissioner Steve Nodine weighed in on the project too.
"As the representative of the area where the road is being built I can tell you that this highway project is vital to public safety, community growth, economic development, and commerce for all of Mobile County.

ALDOT has done everything possible to address the concerns of environmentalists and the Mobile Area Water and Sewer Service. It would be devastating if the excellent relationship Mobile County has with ALDOT is jeopardized by litigation. I know other areas of the state are more than anxious to get their hands on road money currently designated for Mobile County. We need to make sure ALDOT continues to build roads in south Alabama.

The Mobile County Commission has been extremely diligent in working with the parties involved to settle this impasse and get the project moving. We helped implement a Highway 98 citizens oversight committee, and agreed to limited access to the road. We passed subdivision regulations that ban new dirt roads- something that had never been done before in Mobile County. We too want to protect the environment.

I met with all parties involved last Friday and had a very positive discussion. I am hopeful that the concerns of all can be addressed and that we can move forward with project."

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