Governor Ivey asks ALDOT Director to expedite opening of Town Madison

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - We are only 71 days away from the first pitch at Toyota Field, but there is still one major player missing from the all-star lineup.

On Monday, the exit ramp for Town Madison remains closed, a potential traffic nightmare for opening day.

That exit ramp could open however, any day now, thanks to the governor’s help.

On February 4th Governor Kay Ivey asked the director of ALDOT to expedite the steps required to open the Town Madison exit ramp.

It comes less than 24 hours after Madison Mayor Paul Finley wrote a letter to the governor asking for her to step in.

48 News obtained two government letters. One dated February 3rd written by Mayor Finely to the governor asking for her help in opening the completed phase of the interchange.

The other letter was from the governor to Mayor Finley dated February 4th. In this letter, the governor said within hours of her receiving Mayor Finley’s request, she asked her team to get to work to open the ramp.

The letters were written a week after President and CEO of the Rocket City Trash Pandas Ralph Nelson asked for answers from the Madison City Council.

He tells us he sees the work being done and is confident the ramp will open soon but wishes these letters were written sooner.

“When I look out my window and see some of the work that has been done out there, I am encouraged,” said Ralph Neson. “Final touch type of issues have gone on. There are the signal lights on Zierdt Road, the striping of Town Madison Boulevard leading up to the ramp. There has been the replacement of GPS monuments within the ramp itself. The survey was done that needed to be done. I know that has been accomplished.”

Opening Day for the Trash Pandas is scheduled for Tuesday May 11th.

Nelson and his team are still working to gather information from Minor League Baseball regarding how many fans can be in attendance and other COVID-19 safety protocols.

We will be sure to follow up and let you know.