Legislative Watch 
LEGISLATIVE
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9/29/05-Gov. Bob Riley wants to explore the idea of an elevated toll road to relieve traffic congestion on U.S. 280 in Alabama.
Riley and state and federal transportation officials gathered late last month at a Progress 280 meeting to hear Tallahassee, FL, bridge designer Linda Figg of Figg Engineering Group talk about what her firm has done to alleviate similar traffic problems elsewhere.
Figg told those gathered at the meeting in Vestavia Hills, AL, that an elevated road could be built down the median of U.S. 280, a four-lane divided highway that stretches from southeast Birmingham to northwest Alexander City, without the state’s needing to purchase rights of way.
Specifics on the width and length of the road, cost and where access points would be determined after further studies, Figg said.
Alabama Department of Transportation Director Joe McInnes told the newspaper he thinks that charging for use of the road “would get it done more quickly, and tolls would provide funds to go with state and federal money.”
Progress 280, a group of politicians, business people and residents, will take next steps.
