Athens awarded second $400K grant to improve US 72-Mooresville Road intersection

MONTGOMERY — A planned shopping center at a major Athens intersection has received another financial boost, Gov. Kay Ivey announced.

A $400,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission – a federal-state partnership program – will be used to improve traffic safety and vehicle flow the U.S. 72 and Mooresville Road intersection.

The grant will be combined with a $400,000 Community Development Block Grant that Ivey awarded to the city in July. The two grants will fund improvements at the intersection.

Ivey notified Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks that the grants had been approved. The city has pledged $618,192 in local matching funds for the project.

The busy intersection is expected to handle increased traffic with the completion of a 59,000-square-foot shopping center under construction adjacent to the intersection.

“As north Alabama experiences tremendous growth and the need for more retail options, traffic control can be a challenge with more vehicles in the cities and towns reaping the economic benefits,” Ivey said. “I commend local leaders in Athens for recognizing that while growth brings many benefits, it can produce some challenges that should be met head-on. I am pleased to announce this grant to support these improvements in safety at this busy intersection.”

French Mill Crossing will be built on a 12-acre site southeast corner of the intersection. The commercial complex, expected to create at least 100 jobs, will include a Publix grocery store, a bank, a convenience store/fueling station, a fast-food restaurant and other retail outlets.

The road improvements will include widening and adding two turn lanes on Mooresville Road to improve access to the shopping center. Additionally, a deceleration lane and entry route will be built on U.S. 72.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the ARC and CDBG programs in Alabama.

“Along with tremendous benefits, community growth also comes with new needs,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “Local leaders are wise to combine the resources of these two grant programs to help them meet these improvements to this busy intersection. ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey is support of this project.”

ARC is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments. The agency’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. Thirty-seven Alabama counties, including Limestone County, are part of the ARC region and eligible for funds.