MOBILE, Alabama, May, 2008—In a joint document filed recently with the U.S. District Court, the Mobile Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners (MAWSS) and the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) report significant progress has been made regarding construction and design issues on the new alignment of U.S. Highway 98 in west Mobile County.

Both parties agree that ALDOT is now in substantial compliance with environmental requirements and that construction could resume on the west end of the project, as well as recommencement of work on the eastern end within the Big Creek Lake watershed. Actions taken to correct past concerns include ALDOT installing an additional, permanent drain at Long Branch and temporary drains at Big Creek which have eliminated retention of water on the north side of the project.

In addition, ALDOT and MAWSS are working cooperatively on the expansion of the bridge over Big Creek and stabilization of slopes where needed. Also, ALDOT will give notice to MAWSS if it intends to have more than 17.5 acres in the Big Creek Lake watershed under construction. The report states the two have reached a preliminary agreement regarding the removal of some containment basins initially designed for the project, as well as the development of a contingency plan for hazardous materials spills.

“We are confident that resolution on remaining issues can be reached,” Tony Harris, Special Assistant to the Transportation Director, ALDOT’s Governmental Relations Manager said. “We are committed to building a safe road for the travelling public, in an environmentally sound manner.”

Both MAWSS and ALDOT have requested additional time from the court to continue their cooperative efforts. The next progress report is scheduled to be submitted in four months.

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