Rockford approves, discusses road matters
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The Alabama Department of Transportation installs new flashing lights at the intersection of U.S. Highway 231 and Alabama Highway 22 in an attempt to help make drivers aware of the 4-way stop. Photo by Lydia Waters
Workers with the Alabama Department of Transportation begin work at the intersection of U.S. Highway 231 and Alabama Highway 22 just three days after the Town of Rockford approved and signed an agreement with the state. Photo by Lydia Waters
In addition to parallel parking spaces on the left of the road, new signage has been installed to indicate the new 4-way stop at the intersection of Jackson and School streets. Photo by Lydia Waters
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
During its August meeting, the Rockford Town Council, with all members present, approved an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation relating to the traffic signal at the 4-way stop at the intersection of U.S. Highway 231 and Alabama Highway 22.
The agreement between the town and ALDOT is “for the installation and/or operation and/or maintenance of traffic control signals and/or roadway lighting.”
The agreement indicated that it was to include an equipment upgrade, operation and maintenance of the “intersection flashing signal/beacon” at the intersection of highways 231 and 22 with ALDOT furnishing and installing the equipment.
The agreement also states that the equipment and any associated hardware shall be operated and maintained at the sole expense of the Town of Rockford. Per the approved agreement, the town also agreed to maintain the equipment and hardware in a “good state of repair at all times.”
During discussion at the meeting, it was mentioned that municipalities contribute to a particular fund with ALDOT for the state to maintain the traffic lights, but that Rockford does not currently maintain an account for those funds. Mayor Scott White likened it to an insurance deductible, stating that there is a fund and when the town meets a deductible it is not required to pay any more, saying the “deductible” was $1,500 or $2,000 annually.
In further discussion, it was stated that the signal upgrades, which per the agreement would be 12-inch flashing red ball signals, are all LED and would be oscillating lights with each lane having its own light rather than just one signal in the middle.
White said he thought the town should go ahead and sign the agreement for the upgrades and for him to look into the account and how it works, as well as see if the town has put funds into the account for ALDOT maintenance.
In discussion, Councilmember Lynn Anne Castleberry said, “I think we’ve been begging for something to be done, and I think this is a great next step in what we’ve been begging for two and a half years for something. I don’t think we can walk away from the opportunity.”
Following discussion, Councilmember Robert Smith made a motion to sign the agreement with ALDOT to upgrade the lights at the 4-way stop and to authorize White to look into the account and make any necessary adjustments. The motion was unanimously approved.
Following that meeting on a Tuesday evening and signing the agreement, three days later, on a Friday, ALDOT performed the necessary work at the intersection and upgraded the traffic lights.
In other business related to roads in town, at the August meeting Police Chief George Fanning addressed the council.
“This is a reminder now that the state is done with the road construction, thank goodness, we are ready to move ahead with the one-way street on School Street to Jackson,” Fanning said. “We have the signs ordered. The next step is getting the striping done. Just kind of want to make everybody aware and remind everybody we’re fixing to have a one-way street in the town.”
He added, “With extra parking.”
During discussion, Fanning and the council said it would just be “one little section” and one block, next to the newspaper office to Councilmember Smith’s building. Fanning added that the intersection would also be turned into a 4-way stop.
“There’s going to be ‘Do not enter’ signs,” Fanning said. “It’s going to be marked very well.”
Following the update at the Tuesday evening council meeting, two days later on Thursday the town had striping done and some signage installed, with more signs installed later. The section of School Street has been made a one-way street going west, with some parallel parking spaces added along the left side, or southern side, of the road. Signage for the new 4-way stop at the intersection of School and Jackson streets has also been installed.
Also during the August meeting, White and the council discussed the town’s maintenance truck, a 2004 Ford Ranger, and the various issues it has had recently. It was stated that the council had previously approved $18,000 for the purchase of a truck, but White said they could not find a decent truck for that price.
After some discussion, the council unanimously approved purchasing a truck at a maximum of $28,000, with the current maintenance truck being kept for backup. The new maintenance truck purchased is a 2022 Nissan Frontier.
In other business during the council meeting, the council heard from Marcus Crimes and Mike Ray with a presentation from Colonial Life regarding insurance policies.
The council also approved tabling two matters, the American Rescue Plan Act fund agreement from the Chamber of Commerce for a programmable LED sign, with Councilmember Nieshia Whetstone recusing herself from voting on that matter, and the sidewalks and drainage issue in front of the county courthouse.
Following discussion regarding the sidewalks and courthouse, the matter was tabled to look into it further and for White to check with the County Commission for information and plans regarding the potential courthouse annex the county has been discussing.
An audio recording of the council meeting in its entirety is available here.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Rockford Town Council will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, September 17.
