Study eyes how plant will impact highway

Having worked for the state Department of Transportation for 40 years, Tuscumbia Mayor Bill Shoemaker understands the impact a new plant and 1,800 jobs can have on a major highway like U.S. 72.

Many of the people who will work at National Alabama Corporation's railroad car plant in Barton will likely drive through Tuscumbia on U.S. 72 on their way to work.

Because of that, Shoemaker has asked the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments to conduct a U.S. 72 corridor study to look at traffic patterns, ways to ease congestion and suggestions for proper land use along the highway.

Jesse Turner, NACOLG's transportation planning director, said he and Community Planner Nathan Willingham agreed to conduct the study, but expanded the area from the Mississippi state line to the Lawrence County line.

"We want to take a look at what the impact of projected growth along 72 is going to have on traffic and congestion," Willingham said.

They also will tie that information into other likely growth projections for Colbert County.

The study will involve soliciting feedback from public officials and residents of the affected areas, Willingham said.

They will assess current land use and utility infrastructure to determine the areas that are already suited for growth.

The main goal is not to overload U.S. 72 with traffic.

One big issue will be working across the jurisdictions of the county and different municipalities to develop consistent land use policies.

Turner said one community's land-use policies are only as good as those of its neighbor.

Consistency in regulations can be a plus when new industries and business begin looking at the area.

Shoemaker said that in the next six weeks, 600 to 1,200 workers will begin converging on the site of the railcar plant to begin various phases of construction.

"We think that our sudden increase in traffic is going to be good for us," Shoemaker said. "Our traffic count will be affected soon as we move through the process."

The mayor said the city needs to be better prepared for when it is approached by new retail establishments.

"This is too important for us not to do it right," he said. "We don't want growth to occur in a manner that hampers adjacent properties."

Turner said initial studies indicate that U.S. 72, according to 2006 traffic data, is at 25 percent capacity at the Alabama/Mississippi state line, 36 percent capacity at Barton, 61 percent capacity at Woodmont Drive in Tuscumbia, 69 percent at the intersection of U.S. 72 and U.S. 43, 52 percent at Wilson Dam Road and 27 percent at County Line Road.

He said the capacity of U.S. 72 is 33,900 vehicles per day.

Shoemaker said the traffic count in Tuscumbia is at 25,000 vehicles per day. He expects that number to increase to about 27,000 in nine months.

NACOLG Executive Director Keith Jones said the study will cost $75,000, with $50,000 being provided by the Shoals Metropolitan Planning Organization. Jones said he hopes to get another $12,500 from the Appalachian Regional Commission and the remaining $12,500 from local matching money.

Russ Corey can be reached at 740-5738 or russ.corey@timesdaily.com.