By By MARY-ALLISON LANCASTER – Managing editor
The Escambia County Commission will meet today to consider a request from the Town of Flomaton for funds to help four-lane Alabama 113 from Hwy. 31 to Interstate 65 north of Flomaton.
The commission recessed its meeting Monday to be able to address the issue this week. The county's governing body doesn't have another meeting scheduled before January.
Flomaton's leaders have sought the state's support for four-laning that section of Hwy. 113 for many years. After Hurricane Ivan, Gov. Bob Riley showed an interest in the long-promised project.
Flomaton Mayor Dewey Bondurant Jr. has secured a promise from the state committing $20 million to the $25 million project if the Town of Flomaton finds the rest of the money. Bondurant and others working on the project have gotten a promise of $4 million from the Florida, leaving them with $1 million they need to match.
Flomaton's Town Council voted unanimously Monday night to help with the funding. Tomorrow, they'll ask the county for a portion of the $1 million.
Commissioner David Stokes said one reason the commission recessed until 10 a.m. today was so that mayors from Flomaton, Brewton, East Brewton and Atmore could be a part of the discussion.
The major infrastructure project would help in the event of a major evacuation and would allow residents from the Pensacola area to more easily evacuate and travel straight through to I-65. Stokes said Tuesday that some commissioners want to help because the project would help the county as a whole, while others may not see the agreement as beneficial. According to Stokesif the project were funded, more jobs would become available within the county.
Stokes added that the sales tax that would be generated from the unincorporated areas after the project has been completed would help pay the $750,000 debt the county is in for the ongoing paving projects within the county.