AAI encourages Shelby chamber members to speak to legislators about infrastructure

After announcing the merger of their respective organizations late last year, the formerly Greater Shelby and South Shelby County Chambers of Commerce held their first Chamber Connections Luncheon under their new name — the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.

The subject for the chamber ambassadors and members to consider for the afternoon was the county’s infrastructure and ways that it could be improved upon, via a presentation by the Alliance for Alabama’s Infrastructure.

AAI President and Chief Executive Officer, Jim Page, broke down a number of facts about not just the state of Shelby County’s infrastructure, but the state of Alabama’s infrastructure as a whole.

In 2015, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave Alabama a D+ score in their annual report. That same report also showed that 19% of major roads were in poor condition. The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) has said that out of all the bridges in the state, 1,200 are “structurally deficient” and over 2,400 are weight restricted.

Also on the subject of bridges, it should be noted that state county governments operate on a 186-year bridge replacement schedule when really it should be 50, as well as a 56-year county road resurfacing schedule when it should be 15.

The ASCE also reported over 2,000 traffic deaths from 2016 to 2017, with about one third of them caused by roadway features.

Page emphasized the importance of strong statewide infrastructure by pointing out that strong infrastructure creates a strong economy.

“Transportation, our roads and our bridges, are fundamental to our economic development. So for us to be competitive with our sister southeastern states we’re going to have to invest,” he said. “It’s also a public safety and quality of life issue. Too many of Alabamians die on roads every single day and faulty roadway conditions have a lot to do with that.”

Infrastructure stands to be one of the most important topics that will come up during the state’s legislative session, set to begin in March.

However, there are some state legislators who are not on board. Because of this, AAI created the Fix Our Roads Initiative; specially designed to help individuals around the state alert their local lawmaker responsible for instigating infrastructure-related improvements.

From there, the information sent in will be forwarded to state senators, representatives, the Governor’s office in Montgomery and transportation officials directly in charge of implementing changes.

To submit a claim to the Fix Our Roads Initiative, visit AAI’s website at www.alabamaroads.org, and the organization also strongly suggests utilizing social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #FixOurRoads to encourage others in your area to do the same.