November 12, 2008

Governor Riley and Local Officials Celebrate Completion of New Hurricane Evacuation Route

Gov. Riley speaks at the ribbon cutting ceremony for State Highway 113 on Wednesday.

FLOMATON - Governor Bob Riley and Transportation Director Joe McInnes today joined local officials from Florida and Alabama to dedicate State Highway 113 as Alabama’s newest major Hurricane Evacuation Route. The event signals the completion of the $22.7 million project that now provides a seamless four-lane thoroughfare from Escambia County, Florida to Interstate 65 in Escambia County, Alabama.

The project included widening State Highway 113 from U.S. Highway 31 in Flomaton to I-65 at Exit 69, converting the 13.5-mile stretch of two-lane highway into a four-lane, divided highway.

Federal, state and local funds including $500,000 from the town of Flomaton, $500,000 from Escambia County, Alabama, and $4 million from Escambia County, Florida helped fund the project. Two new lanes were constructed as well as a new four-span, 204-foot bridge to accommodate northbound traffic. The project originally slated for completion in December 2008, came in ahead of schedule.

“This is a great example of communities working together across county lines, even across state lines, to get something positive done for their citizens,” said Governor Riley. “It’s a win-win for everybody. During hurricanes, people will have an easier time getting out of harm’s way, and this newly four-laned corridor will be more attractive to business and industry.”

“We continue to make real progress on closing gaps in Alabama’s transportation network,” McInnes said. “This newly completed four-lane connecting Flomaton and a large part of south Alabama and the Florida panhandle to I-65, will not only provide an additional safe hurricane evacuation route, but will also open a new growth corridor that could boost regional economic development opportunities.”