CLEMENTS — Alabama Sen. Tom Butler has asked the governor and the head of the state Department of Transportation for immediate safety improvements at the intersection of U.S. 72 and Hardy Road.
He has also asked for more state troopers enforcing the speed limit on 72 West and a quicker timetable for adding a turn lane from Athens to the Lauderdale County line.
The death of an Elkmont man, 64-year-old Gerald Burns, following a wreck at the intersection near Blue Springs Elementary School construction site has prompted motorists to call for action.
Butler said Monday he had sent letters to Gov. Bob Riley, to Alabama Department of Transportation Director Joe McInnes and to Chief Engineer and Assistant ALDOT Director Don Vaughn.
“I have asked for immediate safety improvements at Hardy Road and 72 West at the location for the new elementary school for the Clements community, increased state trooper presence and enforcement of speed limits on 72 West; and for moving up the timetable to add the fifth lane for safety reasons to 72 West.”
Butler said he met with McInnes and Mayor Dan Williams last week about road issues for Athens, at which time he mentioned the latest 72 West fatality and the need to improve the intersection of 72 and Hardy Road before the school opens.
More than 30 people have died on the 15-mile stretch of 72 between Athens and the Lauderdale County line since 1994.
Riley promised in 2004 to add a fifth lane to the stretch, which would allow motorists to turn left off of the busy, undivided four-lane highway without stopping traffic behind them or causing wrecks. However, the DOT's five-laning plan is in the environmental stage, with the engineering, right-of-way acquisition and construction phases still ahead. ALDOT has said this work will take five years.
Some motorists are distrustful of the timetable and many say the improvements should have come 20 years ago.
Local News
Butler calls for improvements on U.S. 72
- Local News
-
-
'Significant' local arrests net drugs, cash
Limestone County deputies made what Sheriff Mike Blakely termed “significant arrests” with a Friday evening drug bust of a house at 817 Westmoreland Street.
-
BREAKING: Reward offered in Limestone burglary
-
Bills in meth trash lead to arrest
Trash included the portions of phone and cable bills that led investigators to the address of 43-year-old Larry M. Mason of Tuscumbia.
-
Space Camp celebrating 30th anniversary
The center is hosting a weekend of family-friendly activities and a reunion of Space Camp alumni on June 15.
-
Community colleges seeing declining enrollment
American Association of Community Colleges spokeswoman Norma Kent says changes in the economy are to blame.
-
New formula sees Alabama graduation rates drop
State officials say the new formula for calculating graduation rates is believed to be more accurate.
-
MORE STORIES: Click LOCAL NEWS bar at top left
Click "Local News" bar at top left for more stories
-
Police say biker in Fort Payne chase topped 140 mph
Officers finally blocked a road and then found the suspected driver hiding behind a garage.
-
Local morning update for May 25, 2012
VIRAL VIDEO OF THE DAY
While you’re spending time with the family this weekend, don’t forget why we celebrate Memorial Day. - Memorial holiday won’t change county garbage pickup
- More Local News Headlines
-
'Significant' local arrests net drugs, cash
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
