Marla Jones, Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, ALA.-- The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) held a public involvement meeting on Tuesday, March 28, to discuss plans for an emergency truck ramp for Joe’s Truck Stop.

“This project would construct an emergency truck arrester ramp on Alabama 35 coming down the mountain just before it turns from Wallace Avenue to Fifth Street. The arrester bed would allow truck drivers to safely halt their trucks if they have problems braking coming downhill. Brake failures have been cited as an issue in some crashes with heavy trucks at this location, so this proposal seeks to address that concern” according to Seth Burkett, ALDOT North Region Public Information Officer.

The proposed ramp will displace a building owned by the City of Fort Payne, which is leased by Foster’s Training Facility and four homes. 

The ramp will use pea gravel to aid the slowing down of the trucks in emergency situations. The sidewalk will be moved to the west side of the truck ramp to maintain bicycle and pedestrian access.

“It’s probably too soon to speculate about a possible timeframe for construction, as we are still gathering public input and must complete this environmental process before completing design and acquiring right of way. I think it’s unlikely to begin construction before FY 2024 though. Online public involvement is still ongoing at www.aldotinvolved.com. Comments can be submitted through Friday, April 28, 2023” concluded Burkett.