Critics say the government’s delays made deadly crashes inevitable—now $40 million in projects aim to fix what leaders long ignored.
SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
An Ardmore intersection long known for its danger is finally getting a safety overhaul, as part of Alabama’s latest $40 million investment in road improvement projects, Gov. Kay Ivey announced Friday.
The intersection at State Route 53 and Pinedale Road in Limestone County — a major corridor running from the Tennessee state line into Huntsville — has been the site of multiple fatal and high-impact crashes, including a recent collision involving a Greyhound bus. The site has prompted years of concern from residents and elected officials.
“This is a dangerous stretch of 53,” said State Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest. “We have drivers coming in at high speeds from Tennessee, inadequate turning lanes, and poor visibility. It’s a perfect storm for tragedy.”
The $1.25 million redesign is one of 24 projects funded under the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program-II (ATRIP-II), created in 2019 through the Rebuild Alabama Act. The program dedicates at least $30 million annually from gas tax revenue to fund state highway improvements that serve local priorities.
According to Alabama Daily News, ATRIP-II has invested more than $220 million in roads and bridges across all 67 counties since its inception.
Gov. Ivey defended the gas tax increase that enabled the funding, which faced opposition at the time.
“These improvements aren’t happening by accident,” Ivey said. “They’re happening because we passed a responsible infrastructure plan and stuck to it. This project is exactly why Rebuild Alabama exists.”
Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) North Region Engineer Curtis Vincent said preliminary engineering is underway and that the project will be designed in-house. Surveying has already begun.
“Turn lanes will be added to help with traffic flow and safety. Since the work will take place inside the existing right-of-way, we expect construction to begin within two years,” Vincent said.
Whitt and Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, both noted that similar upgrades along Route 53 are progressing. A separate $4 million project in Madison County is wrapping up at Old Railroad Bed Road and Harvest Road, and another $8 to $10 million widening effort is in pre-construction between Taurus Drive and Harvest Road.
“These things take time, but they’re coming together,” Melson said. “The Rebuild Alabama promise was that every county would benefit, and we’re keeping that promise.”
More Projects in North Alabama
In addition to the State Route 53 redesign, several other Huntsville-area projects are part of this ATRIP-II funding round:
- Scottsboro: $1.1 million for access improvements at U.S. 72, Liberty Lane, and Micah Way, with an additional $251,000 from local sources.
- Gurley: $7.4 million in state funds and $2 million locally to realign Little Cove Road at U.S. 72.
- Guntersville: $1.9 million for intersection upgrades at U.S. 431 at Wyeth Drive, Webb Avenue, and Spring Creek Drive.
- Trinity: $770,000 to improve the intersection at State Route 24 and South Greenway Drive.
These projects come in response to growing traffic volumes and a series of deadly incidents on state highways. In just the past few months, two fatal crashes and one school bus collision have occurred along Route 53, ad