With a new program on the table, Franklin County stands to see $12.3 million dollars for road and bridge repair – if a bond issue funded by a 3-cent gas and diesel tax is approved.

The project is called ATRIP-2, and it’s a statewide initiative that would reportedly make $1.2 billion available statewide.

Association of County Commissions of Alabama Executive Director Sonny Brasfield said it’s clear continued improvement is needed on Alabama roadways. “By any measure, all of us drive on some of the worst-maintained roads in the country,” Brasfield said. “The statistics are indisputable, and the evidence, if you’ll take a look around tomorrow when you hit the road again, is certainly enough to us worry about our own safety. Every day school buses in Alabama detour hundreds of bridges that are so unsafe that they have failed federal review standards. Children spend way too long bouncing in the bus seats simply because we have ignored the problem for decades. Alabama’s much-discussed “farm-to-market” road system is in deplorable condition. In a state that depends on farm and timber income to feed and support the local economy in almost every community, our road system should be one of the best in the nation. However, that isn’t the case.”

ATRIP-2 would follow up on the “forward momentum we’ve made in the last four years through the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program initiated by Gov. Robert Bentley,” Brasfield explained. The funding will be achieved “by issuing bonds funded with an increase in the gasoline and diesel fuel tax of 3-cents per gallon. This reasonable, temporary adjustment in the tax rate will pay dividends in every community in our state.”

Franklin County engineer David Palmer said the increase in gas tax would amount to roughly an extra $1.50 cost per person a month – minimal, compared to the benefits of the trade-off.

“It’s a good program. We have been trying for the last four sessions to try to get something passed,” said Palmer in support of the initiative. Palmer said ATRIP-2 would fund about 124 miles of resurfacing and the replacement of as many as seven bridges for Franklin County, according to an ACCA estimate – or possibly even double the number of miles, depending on what type of work each road needs, closer to 250, according to Palmer. “ATRIP-1 was geared toward major collectors only,” Palmer said. “We left our major collector system is pretty good shape. That investment was well worth it … The focus of ATRIP-2 would be on local roads that are not major collectors or part of the federal aid system.

“We hope we have the opportunity to get this through and continue resurfacing our roads and replacing our bridges,” he said. “I don’t know how it’s going to play out for sure.”

In Franklin County, the project will provide a total of $12,360,596.23 in new revenue, with about 20 percent divided out to municipalities based on population and the remaining $10M dedicated to county use. “It’s going to be a big help to the cities as well,” Palmer said.

“The injection of new money will not only allow for improvements in our transportation system, but it will be a boost to the local economy as road and bridge construction dollars turn over more than four times in the local areas,” Brasfield added.

The legislation needed to establish ATRIP-2, Brasfield said, is being introduced during this year’s regular session of the Alabama Legislature. The language of the bill will ensure that the money can only be spent on roads and bridges. “It will also provide that each year the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts will audit the expenditures and will have the power to make public officials repay any money that is not allocated directly to roads,” Brasfield pointed out. “No money can go to salaries, purchases of equipment or any other items.”

According to Brasfield, this project “represents the most transparent and accountable initiative that I’ve ever seen.” Palmer urged the community to stand in support of the program and the positive impact it will bring to Franklin County and voice their opinion to state legislators.

The Franklin County Commission approved a resolution in support of ATRIP-2, and Commission Chairman Barry Moore said more than half the counties in Alabama have voiced their support by approving resolutions. Several municipalities have also approved resolutions in support of the bond issue.