Road to ease traffic

Published 8:49 am Friday, September 26, 2008

By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



Gardendale’s ongoing school traffic issues may be eased further next week with the opening of a new road.

The “connector road” as it is called by city officials, connects Odum and Mt. Olive Roads. On Tuesday, it will be open for one-way use for cars traveling from Odum Road to Gardendale Elementary School.

However, those that choose to use the road will only be able to go to the school. Drivers will still have to exit the road onto Bauers Lane. Drivers will also not be able to turn onto the connector road from Bauers or Mt. Olive Road and go back toward Odum Road.

The portion of the road that will connect to Mt. Olive Road is not yet completed and may take up to another year to see two-way use, according to Gardendale Public Works Superintendent Jeff Holliyan.

The connector road’s completion depends on the progress of the widening project on Mt. Olive Road. Holliyan said that if parents would use the connector road to take children to school, it will lead to less congestion on Mt. Olive Road and aid the progress of the project.

“You can’t open it up to two-way traffic, because it doesn’t go anywhere,” he said. “When it’s completed, it will be of great benefit to the citizens to move from Odum Road to Mt. Olive Road and not have to deal with the traffic signals on Fieldstown Road.”

Other factors that impact the progress of Mt. Olive Road include the completion of Ash Avenue and the relocation of utility lines. Holliyan said Ash would likely be closed another 30 to 45 days until a retaining wall is built to bring the road up to grade.

All told, the connector road project will cost about $700,000, though the expense was split three ways between the city, Jefferson County Board of Education and the developers of the Caufield Square retail project.

The original purpose of the road project was to provide an entry to Caufield Square, but to also provide an access to the future Publix Supermarket.



Publix update

Mayor Kenny Clemons said Wednesday that he had met this week with Publix officials and the project is still on track, though it may open later than the anticipated February date.

The delay stems from a restructuring of the Goody’s retail chain, which has held up designs for the new building. Both Goody’s and Dollar Tree will move west and be located next to Hobby Lobby. Additionally, Clemons said there is a possibility of a restaurant locating to the revamped shopping center.

Clemons said despite the possible setbacks, he’s not worried about the possibility of the project failing.

“They [the developers] paid $9 million for the shopping center,” he said. “They got a commitment from Publix and a commitment from the Dollar Tree. It will be pushed back a couple of months, but in the long run it will be a good thing for the city.”

The store will employ between 100 and 125 workers, according to a Publix official. The hiring process will begin about four weeks before the store’s opening.