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Commission accepts ALDOT Industrial Access grant for 4E Aggregates; county assumes non-federal costs
Summary
Franklin County approved the Industrial Access Road and Bridge agreement with ALDOT to accept $121,600 in Industrial Access funds for access improvements at the 4E Aggregates site; the agreement allocates preliminary engineering, right-of-way and utility costs and any cost overruns to the county.
The Franklin County Commission voted April 20 to accept an Alabama Department of Transportation Industrial Access allocation of $121,600 to fund access improvements and warning signage at the 4E Aggregates site (Project IAR-030-000-013). The allocation and the formal construction agreement were presented to the board and approved unanimously.
The ALDOT letter accompanying the packet said the Industrial Access Road and Bridge Corporation committed $121,600 and reminded the county that preliminary engineering, right‑of‑way acquisition, utility relocations and any construction cost overruns are the county's responsibility. County Engineer Jason Baggett introduced the agreement and recommended approval; Commissioner Greg Hovater moved to approve and Commissioner Tracie Clark seconded.
The executed agreement, which the Commission authorized the chairman to sign, includes standard ALDOT contract provisions: a 12‑month lapse provision if a contract is not awarded, requirements for county‑supplied right-of-way, compliance with federal real‑property and environmental laws for acquisitions, and cost‑reimbursement mechanics for eligible work. The packet contains exhibits covering contract termination, equal-rights provisions, lobbying certification, and non‑appropriation language.
Why it matters: The funding supports access improvements associated with a private industrial site (4E Aggregates) that the Industrial Access program determined will facilitate economic development. The county will bear non‑federal costs including preliminary engineering and any cost overruns, which could affect local budgets if bids exceed estimates.
Next steps: ALDOT will contact county staff to execute the funding agreement and approve project plans; work cannot be advertised for bid or initiated prior to ALDOT project authorization. The county must submit plans, right-of-way certification, and comply with state procurement and environmental requirements before construction authorization.
