By By Robert Blankenship, Staff Writer
The Escambia County Commission voted unanimously to seek Federal Aid Secondary Road (FAS) funding to help rebuild Airport Road Bridge, just outside of Atmore.
With the FAS grant, the county will be required to match with 20 percent funding. The county will be required to submit building plans to the Alabama Department of Transportation which distributes the FAS funds.
White said seeking FAS money will be faster than attempting to get funding through the Alabama bridge and road bond issue. In order to replace the bridge through the bond issue, the county will have to place Airport Road on its inventory which would prolong the funding process.
District 4 Commissioner Junior Hall said the county would get the bridge reopened as soon as possible as work would beging this week.
Concert causes more concerns
For the second straight meeting, an Independence Day concert held off of OId Castleberry Road was addressed by the commission as well as a resident who said he was affected by the noise produced at the concert.
Allen Caudle told the council he was "aggravated" by the concert.
District 2 Commissioner Todd Williamson said he received many calls from people who live in the area of the concert. He said the commission was interested in finding a way to control large crowd events.
Commission Chairman Larry White said gaining control of such events will take time.
White said the commission may have to form a proposal which will hae to sent to the state legislature where it may be placed on a general election ballot as an amendment to the Alabama Constitution.