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Madison County leaders take look at future road improvements

MADISON COUNTY, AL (WAFF)- City and county leaders are discussing some major plans for roads in the upcoming years.

The planning organization for these projects predicts more than 400,000 jobs in the metropolitan area by 2035, which is about 150,000 more than there are now.

WAFF 48 News asked some Madison County residents what road project they'd like completed by Christmas.

Cory Houston said, "I think the north side overpass needs to be finished."

"Everything in Hampton Cove," said Stuart Howe.
 
"Blue Spring Road really needs to be paved," said Marcus Shine.

"Highway 53," said Christine Williams.

Work at many of those places are already in progress, but there's another wish list still decades away.

About the 2035 plan, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said, "It is totally a plan, and a plan is very flexible."

Mayor Battle said the road plans are a combined effort between municipalities in Madison County, the Madison County Commission, and the State Highway Department.

Roads remain a continuous battle for Madison county, Huntsville, and the city of Madison.

Madison Mayor Paul Finley said, "You've had a town that's basically doubled in size in the last 10 or 15 years. It's a big issue for us."

A big issue that Madison County leaders are working to kept ahead of the curve.

"The consequences of not having this is you become like Atlanta, we become like Washington D.C. or the Beltway in Virginia," said Mayor Battle.

"We work together as a team.  Because paperwork is one thing, but seeing those yellow cones and flashing lights and knowing that the end is in sight is another," said Mayor Finley.

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