 Carolyn Kelly, associate director of research and communication at TRIP, speaks to the media about local and state infrastructure during press conference at BBA. Roads and bridges that are deficient, congested or lack desirable safety features cost Alabama motorists a total of $4.2 billion statewide annually - $1,663 per driver in the Birmingham urban area - due to higher vehicle operating costs, traffic crashes and congestion-related delays. Those are the findings from a new report released by TRIP, a national transportation organization, during a press conference this week hosted by the Birmingham Business Alliance. “The condition of Alabama’s road and bridge infrastructure is a jobs and economic development issue,” said Brian Hilson, president and CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance. “Just as we must invest in education and training to ensure we have a competitive workforce, we must also invest in our infrastructure so we can compete and prepare for new and expanding employers. Alabama’s insufficient infrastructure is having a negative impact on jobs. Rather than allowing roads to remain unsafe and costly to use, we should invest wisely to ensure they are safe, efficient and an advantage for job growth.” Birmingham City Councilor Jay Roberson, Jim Page, chairman of the Alliance for Alabama’s Infrastructure, and Carolyn Kelly of TRIP were also on hand to discuss the importance of the report. Click here to read more and see statewide results. Comments are closed.
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