Our Infrastructure Must Be Top Priority

The Cherokee County Commission echoes the call for Alabama to be “ready, willing and able to make a financial investment of its own” to improve our state’s infrastructure, economic development and transportation safety.

Today, with President Donald Trump focusing his attention on infrastructure improvements, it is even more urgent for our state to be prepared. The Cherokee County Commission was one of more than 60 commissions throughout the state which adopted resolutions in support of the ATRIP-2 program aimed at enhancing county and municipal roads and bridges in Alabama.

Over the last 18 months, community leaders from every corner of the state have called for a renewed investment in the improvement of Alabama’s roads and bridges. For the second session in a row, legislation that would have provided new funding for local and state roads failed to reach a vote in the House of Representatives.

“For far too long Alabama’s roads and bridges have been neglected,” said Kirk Day, Chairman of the Cherokee County Commission. “It is impossible for our state to cling to the hope that, somehow, our transportation system can be maintained without sufficient revenue. The possibility of a new federal plan is encouraging, but Alabama simply cannot continue to wait for a Washington-only solution to an Alabama problem.”

Chairman Day also expressed appreciation to Governor Ivey for her leadership both here in Alabama and nationally. “As more details are released on the federal infrastructure initiative, the insight Governor Ivey gained last week will bolster our efforts to move forward,” Day said. “However, continued delays in Montgomery only ensure that Alabama remains on the bench while so many other states are already on the field playing in the game.”