Highway 98 Update

Alabama Wilmer Alabama Department of Transportation officials say the Highway 98 bypass construction is back on track.

by Jessica Taloney

Published: Thu, March 13, 2008 - 3:42 pm CST Last Updated: Thu, March 13, 2008 - 3:59 pm CST

The Alabama Department of Transportation says it has cleaned up it's act, and it wants to build a bridge with disgruntled neighbors living near the new Highway 98 bypass.
The Highway 98 project has been plagued with environmental problems.
Officials say crews are back at work and the project is in compliance.

Luverne Evans has lived all 85 years of her life here in Wilmer. She says the area has changed.
"Highway 98 is a far cry from what it was in war time years," said Evans, who lives on the busiest stretch of the highway. "There's just so much traffic, so much movement."
It's no surprise Evans is ready for a new road, but the bypass she hoped would move traffic out of town has faced more than its share of problems.
Environmental concerns brought construction to a screeching hault in September, after an environmental group discovered the project contaminated Mobile County's drinking water.
Six months later, officials from the Alabama Department of Transportation are holding a meeting in Wilmer to update residents on their progress.
"I hope they hurry up and finish, but I hope they are responsible and will do it in a way that will lessen the impact," said Billy Lucas. He lives near the existing highway.
Lucas is planning to attend Thursday night's meeting.
"As long as both sides are responsible and pay attention as they're finishing this project it should help alleviate a lot of the concerns that people have," he said.
The meeting begins at 6pm at The First Baptist Church in Wilmer.
It is open to the public.

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carrmill Says:

Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 9:30 am

I wish to thank ALDOT for the very informative meeting held last night for the general public in Wilmer, AL. The representatives seemed very understanding and completely on top of all the issues. I was disappointed, however, in the time frame for completion of this project. The traffic on US 98 is horrific and since we have been promised a new highway for well over 40 years, I was hoping for a quicker completion. I understand the cost factor, but I think it is high time this highway gets the priority.