ARAB, AL (WAFF) -
The state has laid two billion dollars worth plans for new roads, highway and transit projects for the next three years.
Those plans are on display now at the Department of Transportation office in Guntersville, where the public has another hour to look them over and give their comments.
The plans include an interchange at County Line Road and Interstate 565, as well as a plan to change the way people drive through Arab.
Highway 69 currently goes through downtown Arab. But a proposal would bypass the town at main street and go through a neighborhood where it would wind down to highway 69 again as it passes over the highway 231 bridge.
"To allow for better traffic flow, especially for heavier loads and larger loads," said Johnny Harris, ALDOT Division One engineer.
Dennis Hilty has opened two businesses in downtown in recent years.
"Yes, it will take the big trucks out of town, the bypass," said Hilty, Arab business owner.
But Hilty knows if the trucks go, so too will the passenger traffic which relates to a potential loss in business.
"See, a lot of people come back and say they saw my sign going to work and saw the stuff sitting out front and they had to come back because they were interested in it," added Hilty.
The proposed bypass will go through an Arab neighborhood and for some it's not welcoming news.
"Now, the access road to the bypass is going to come through our house. They are going to bulldoze our house over and fill in the swimming pool," said Joy Privett, Arab resident.
Now retired, Privett said they've spent years turning their backyard into a garden of perfection and do not want to have to start over.
"My husband does all the work in the yard. He has a garden so all of that is important to our family and we've raised our children here," added Privett.
According to the department of transportation, the proposal will go to Montgomery for review of comments will be made later tonight.
Then it's next step will be to the Federal Highway Administration for final approval.
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