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Road resurfacing project will benefit multiple Huntsville neighborhoods

City of Huntsville's Mayor Tommy Battle proposes $7 million dollar road resurfacing project.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — If you live or work in Huntsville you may have noticed that some roads offer a much smoother ride than others here and if you're tired of avoiding those potholes, luckily, Mayor Tommy Battle is looking to do something about this.

"Basically, there is a contract that he's [Mayor Tommy Battle] proposing for $7 million. That would resurface about 42 residential streets in the City of Huntsville and that would include two of my favorite streets, Sewanee, which has needed it for several years, as well Triana Boulevard," said District 4 Councilman, Bill Kling. 

This contract was approved at Huntsville's Jan. 27 City Council meeting. According to the city:

About 50 residential streets within the city limits of Huntsville will see improvements this year as part of a $6.9 million resurfacing contract.

The City Council on Thursday approved an agreement allowing Mayor Tommy Battle to enter into an agreement with SJ&L, the low bidder, as part of the 2022 Phase I Resurfacing Contract. Phase II will be advertised and let later this year.

A $2 million contract with Midsouth Paving was also approved this week for concrete work. Projects will include new curbs and gutters, sidewalks, driveway aprons, storm culverts and any other concrete structures. The City will perform work on an as-needed basis throughout the one-year contract.

Though the projects are largely broken down by district, Public Works Director Chris McNeese said they will benefit the entire City.

That's a lot of road to fix... which begs the question... who is paying for this project?

"This is local city funds that we have and basically this is a return on the investment, the taxpayers of the city, they pay taxes and this is us taking money and putting it back to them in their neighborhood," said Kling.

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Even before it passed at the City Council meeting, Kling had faith in the proposal.

"One never takes anything for granted but my feeling is that it'll pass unanimously if I had to make a prediction on TV," said Kling.

Once passed, work should start soon according to Kling.

"My guess is that they will start working on the contract on Monday, this coming week. After that everything's good- finalized. I wouldn't be surprised to see trucks out doing work within the next couple of weeks. Again, depending on the weather, which as we know can change day today," said Kling.

He also mentions a story about how road resurfacing in the past has added both quality of life and beauty to the City of Huntsville."

We came in and literally resurface all those streets in that neighborhood at one time. And after that, people started fixing up their houses, painting their fences, cleaning up and it just makes neighborhoods look a lot better. So, I like doing that citywide," said Kling. 

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