Over the years, Highway 98 through South Alabama has been the scene of far too many accidents. The Alabama Department of Transportation's mission is to provide a safe, efficient transportation network to the people of Alabama, and there is no better example of how we fulfill that mission than our project to widen Highway 98 on a four-lane northern bypass.

Safety is a cornerstone of our mission, and we believe travel will be much safer for South Alabama families when the Highway 98 widening project is completed. Still, we realize even a wider, more modern highway will not make travel perfect or risk-free. Likewise, the process of building the new highway is not perfect or without complications.

At ALDOT, we want our construction projects completed in a safe and environmentally-friendly way. But, sometimes our best efforts fall short and we need local partners to help us stay true to our mission. Together we can build better roads, drive more safely and protect the environment as we prepare for tomorrow.

Mistakes were made during the first stage of construction on Highway 98. The result was a temporary period of noncompliance with environmental regulations for erosion and sediment control. These mistakes were not intentional, and certainly not the result of efforts to cut corners to save money. As a state agency, we at ALDOT work hard to provide Alabama taxpayers with safe roads in a fiscally responsible way. My personal promise as Transportation Director is that ALDOT will do everything possible to provide Alabama taxpayers and families with efficiency, accountability, safety and a strong commitment to the environment.

From our initial errors on the Highway 98 project, we have gained information that is helping us move toward completion in a more positive way. Completion of the new Highway 98 northern bypass is still several years away, but until then, we will be earnestly seeking to partner with the public as a testament to our renewed emphasis on our mission. Together, we can make Highway 98 safer for Alabama families and the environment.