COFFEE CO., ALA. (WDHN)—THIS WEEK, THE COFFEE COUNTY COMMISSION APPROPRIATED MORE THAN ONE MILLION DOLLARS TO HELP “REPAVE” A COMMON EAST-WEST ROUTE TO ENTERPRISE. COFFEE COUNTY 636 ALSO LEADS TO THE ENTERPRISE PILGRIM’S POULTRY PLANT, AND ROAD IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO IMPROVE OVERALL SAFETY FOR MOTORISTS.

COFFEE COUNTY ROAD 636 PASSES THE PILGRIM’S POULTRY PLANTIN ENTERPRISE, THE FACILITY EMPLOYS HUNDREDS OF FOLKS.
THIS WEEK, THE COFFEE COUNTY COMMISSION VOTED TO APPROPRIATE MORE THAN ONE MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL COVID DOLLARS IN REPAVING A NINE-MILE STRETCH OF THAT ROADWAY.
THE EAST-WEST ROUTE IS COMMONLY USED FROM ENTERPRISE TO OPP AND POINTS FURTHER WEST.

county administrator rod morgan says “IT IS, I THINK ANYTIME YOU REPAVE A ROAD YOU INCREASE SAFETY. THAT ROAD IS DEFINITELY SAFELY TRAVELED IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION, BUT I THINK ANYTIME YOU DO ANY TIME OF MAINTENANCE OR REPAVING A ROAD IT WILL ENHANCE THE SAFETY AND THAT WILL BE A BENEFIT AS WELL.”

“THE ROAD IS RELATIVELY SAFE, BUT ANYTIME YOU REPAVE IT AND DO IMPROVEMENTS IT IMPROVES SAFETY FOR THE ENTIRE DISTANCE.”

county engineer MARTY LENTZ says “THE SECOND WEEK IN MAY, THAT’S WHAT WE’VE BEEN INFORMED BY THE CONTRACTOR UNLESS WEATHER DELAYS THAT, BUT THAT’S WHAT THEY’RE SHOOTING FOR THE SECOND WEEK IN MAY.”
CG: ROD MORGAN/COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
“IT’LL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS TO COMPLETE THE WORK SO THEY’LL BE SOME INCONVENIENCE AND A MAJOR EAST-WEST CORRIDOR IN THE COUNTY AND SERVICES AND GOES BY THE CHICKEN PLANT DOWN THERE.”

IN ADDITION TO ARPA FUNDS, AN ADDITIONAL MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE REPAVING WILL BE COMING FROM STATE AND LOCAL FUNDS. WITH THE LARGE NUMBER OF HEAVY POULTRY TRUCKS ON 636, LOCAL OFFICIALS SAY IT INCREASES THE “WEAR AND TEAR” OF THE PAVEMENT.

THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO GET UNDERWAY NEXT MONTH OR JUNE AND CAUSE SLIGHT DELAYS FOR MOTORISTS DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE FOR A TWO-MONTH PERIOD.