Editor’s note: Today The Times looks back on our No. 2 local story of 2016.

 The long-awaited County Road 222/Interstate 65 interchange — the Cullman area’s fourth exit — finally opened in 2016, more than a decade after it was first promised.

In January, local, state and federal officials, including Gov. Robert Bentley and U.S. Congressman Robert Aderholt, met at Topre to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony officially opening the $10 million project, Exit 305, in Good Hope city limits and Cullman’s backyard.

After years of waiting for funds to be appropriated to the project, Sen. Paul Bussman and other local officials made a strong pitch to Bentley and the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) to get the project moving again.

State GARVEE bonds, through the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (ATRIP), funded the bulk of construction. However, the interchange would have never been greenlit if not for the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce putting up $1.3 million of its local lodging tax proceeds for required matching funds and the cities of Cullman and Good Hope and the Cullman County Commission agreeing to share various costs.

After breaking ground in October 2014, construction on the interchange progressed steadily through 2015, picking up momentum once all utilities were relocated.

The interchange’s future development took a hit in 2016 when officials announced in March that the sprawling $20 million Bass Fishing Hall of Fame to be built on the 110-acre former Burrow property on CR-222 would be scrapped due to lackluster fundraising.

The facility was to include a 56,250-square-foot civic center, 30,900-square-foot hall of fame, an aquarium, gift shop and exhibit space. It would’ve also been used as an educational facility, offering outdoors and recreation programs for local students.

The City of Cullman had committed to spend approximately $8-10 million to construct a shell building for the hall of fame, as well as an education center. But that was contingent on the hall of fame board raising $8-10 million to complete and equip the facility, plus provide some operating costs.

Despite the setback, local officials remain optimistic the exit will attract new business as a gateway to Smith Lake and with existing industries nearby.

Agricultural properties nearby the interchange have been rezoned to business, allowing for commercial development. Meanwhile, portions of the Burrow property are zoned for recreation, offering plenty of outdoor development options.

A comprehensive land use and traffic plan for property surrounding the interchange has also been undertaken to guide officials in the most effective and efficient development options for the area.

“I see that interchange as a blank canvas,” Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Good Hope, told The Times in January. “If developed properly, we could have a very attractive interchange with a very nice appeal for travelers.”

 

Tiffeny Owens can be reached at 256-734-2131, ext. 135.