Memorials to stay

TUSCUMBIA - Roadside memorials around the Shoals - such as the two small crosses placed on a Colbert County road by Rose Bevis in memory of her late mother - are in no danger of being removed unless they pose a danger to motorists.

State Department of Transportation officials have started removing memorials along interstate highways and other highways, claiming they are unsafe.

The memorials, which normally include small crosses and flowers, are often placed at the site of a fatal crash by the victim's family or friends.

They can frequently be seen along roads and highways throughout northwest Alabama. According to local officials, though, they won't be going anywhere soon.

"To my knowledge, there's no policy on roadside memorials now," Florence City Engineer Bill Batson said.

"If somebody erected a large sign that affects sight distance at an intersection, we'd try to work with the family to get it removed."

James Brown, state transportation division engineer, said in the Shoals, memorials are not removed unless they create a hazardous situation for motorists.

Mark Dale, maintenance engineer with the transportation department, said he knows of no official policy governing roadside memorials.

"I know they're reviewing it to see what needs to be done," Dale said, referring to officials at the state transportation office in Montgomery.

Bevis said her memorial is confined to a three- or four-foot square area near the foot of Hawk Pride Mountain. She said the area is kept mowed and trimmed.

The memorial was placed about two months after a June 20 crash at the site that killed her mother.

"I felt closer to her there than at her grave," Bevis said.

Dale said he is concerned about memorials that attract people who park alongside the road and create sight problems for motorists.

He said he doesn't want to see situations develop that could become hazardous for drivers or pedestrians.

"It creates some concern," Dale said. "I understand people are upset and want to mark a site where a loved one has been killed. It's an emotional issue, but it can also be a safety issue."

Dale said it has been some time since the state transportation department has had to ask someone to remove a roadside memorial.

Batson said Florence has not had to ask anyone to remove a roadside memorial.

"I don't think the city would initiate any action against that," Batson said.

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