Counties asked to endorse I-10 toll road

It was 25 years ago that local officials first started talking about the need for an interstate to connect Southeast Alabama to Interstate 10 in Florida, and finally, there is hope that lost highway will be constructed.

Birmingham attorney Luther Strange, representing Alabama interests, announced plans for the construction of a toll road to be built in a public/private partnership between Houston, Geneva and Dale counties in Alabama and Jackson, Bay and Washington counties in Florida, along with private investors.

Speaking during a Monday press conference at the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce, Strange said that without private funds, there will be no I-10 connector anytime soon.

“Governor Riley has gone around, and the message we are getting from Florida is, ‘There is no money available to construct the road,’” Strange said. “Everybody has said we have got to be creative and think out of the box.”

Strange said the connector could be built to interstate standards within five years with tax-free bonds and turned back over to the individual counties once the road is paid for in 30 years.

Strange said it is a first-of-its kind project for the state.

“It would bring thousands of jobs and create an economic corridor,” he said. “It would be the biggest economic development project this area has ever seen. It is premature to say we have a project to announce today. We have spent a lot of time working behind the scenes, and we feel like are on track to develop this project.”

The partnership requires the creation of a not-for-profit corporation by both states. The Alabama corporation, Focus 2000 of the Wiregrass, will design, build and operate the toll road. No public, federal or state funds will be used.

No cost figures were presented, and specifics about the corporation were not revealed, but Strange said the public will be kept informed.

“Every county official, every county attorney will be meeting with Focus 2000 this week,” he said. “There will be public meetings to talk through all the issues.”

Dothan Chamber President Matt Parker sees the toll road as changing the face of the area.

“We have always wanted to get a limited access highway in our area to spur economic growth. The only thing stopping us from doing that is money.”

Chamber member Steve Shaw, president of Couch U.S.A., said industry wants to locate in transportation corridors, with port access, rail, airports and an interstate highway. Because of the way construction costs rise, Shaw said, “Now’s the time to do it.”

Al Wenstrand, president of Florida’s Great Northwest Inc., a regional economic development organization serving 16 counties in the Panhandle, said the project has business and economic interest support in Florida.

“It will provide an interstate-quality link between Northwest Florida and interstates 65 and 85, facilitating passenger traffic to Interstate 10, the beaches, and to the new Panama City-Bay County International Airport, as well as providing a significant, unimpeded hurricane evacuation route.”

Wenstrand said goods move north and south from the seaports, so the road would help expand international commerce as a growth industry. Florida is second in the nation in international trade. North Florida has not been a part of that.”

Other facts released:
There is no time line for the project. When the counties get on board the project can start and can be done in five years.

The route will follow the ALDOT-identified route west of Dothan in Alabama. On the Florida side, a firm route is not set.

Officials have no idea how much the toll will be to use the road, or where the accesses will be.

Alabama Transportation Director Joe McInnes sent a letter to the county endorsing the toll road project. Florida transportation officials “have been very encouraging.”

Officials hope eminent domain won’t be needed.