By By Kerry Whipple Bean
publisher
The City of Brewton received word it will receive more than $700,000 in Department of Transportation funds for improvements at the airport and on U.S. 31 near the site of the new middle school.
Mayor Ted Jennings announced the funds at the Brewton City Council meeting Tuesday.
The city received $326,307 in funding for improvements at the airport. While the money is designated for a T-hangar, fuel farm and access taxiways, Jennings said the money most likely won’t cover all of those items.
The Alabama Department of Transportation also said it will pay for a north-bound right turn lane and south-bound left turn lane near the site of the new Brewton Middle School on U.S. 31 and Old Castleberry Road. That funding totals $325,300.
ALDOT will also pay for half of the cost of a traffic light at the intersection. Jennings said the total cost is estimated at about $150,000 for the signal.
Brewton City Schools officials said last week they hoped that the DOT would approve the turn lanes and traffic light to improve safety at the intersection. The new school is likely to begin construction later this year and be open by fall 2011.
In other business Tuesday:
Cary Barton said a roundtable discussion among representatives from cities about Brewton’s size revealed the municipalities share similar concerns.
All three councilmen said the appreciated the city’s giving them the opportunity to attend the meeting.