Transportation survey info could help justify toll road project

Alabama Department of Transportation workers spent most of last week handing out survey cards to random drivers on major arteries into the city. The surveys will assess the feasibility of a toll road bypass.

The postage-paid questionnaires ask drivers to state if they are a resident or a visitor to the area, their itinerary and vehicle descriptions. All collected information from the origin-destination surveys will give ALDOT insight into a proposed Interstate 10 Connector.

“We’re trying to capture southbound traffic as it comes through the Dothan-Florida corridor,” said Charles Metzger, traffic engineer for the City of Dothan.

The surveys have been handed out on U.S. 84 West, U.S. 231 North and South, U.S. 431 and Highway 109, in addition to other locations.

Drivers are being asked where they started their trip, where it will end and the purpose of their trip. They are also being surveyed on their frequency of that particular trip and the number of people in the vehicle. Vacationers are asked if they are en route to the Gulf Coast, how often they make that trip and which seasons of the year they visit the coast.

Transportation officials know that snow birds and vacationers passing through the area would be more prone to seek the shortest, quickest route. An interstate connector could relieve traffic in Dothan and is seen as an economic development tool.

“This could really improve the growth of Dothan,“ Metzger said. “The possibility of industrial development in the area has been largely overlooked because of the lack of an interstate. This would take the truck traffic off of Ross Clark Circle.“

Metzger estimated that the bypass project could cost as much as $1 billion and that the road would give local drivers, vacationers, truckers and other travelers an option.

“They don’t have to get on the bypass, but it’s available to them,“ Metzger said.

A connector has been discussed for more than 20 years and the surveys could indicate if the road will pay for itself. The toll road concept was introduced in May.

Metzger said he is pleased with the response on the surveys and the number that have been returned. He expects a 15 percent return rate.

Debbie Ingram, , contributed to this story.