People in several Walker County communities are bracing for changes in road conditions.
Major potholes on McCollum Road threatened to stop mail delivery, but now progress is being made.
“Its like oh my gosh! It is awesome to drive down through here and not have to dodge a pothole and then get three more on the side of you,” said resident Barbra Williams.
A smooth road is a dream come true for Barbra Williams
Until recently, her drive was riddled with dodging pot holes on McCollum Road where she has lived for the past 17 years.
Williams said she feels much safer getting out and running errands without worrying about costly car repairs.
“Because you can get further over and not have to worry about hitting somebody or hitting a hole and bouncing into to somebody, or knocking out of the road or something,” said Williams.
Walker County Commissioner Jim Borden said they worked with other districts to help mill the road.
But work like this costs money and funds are limited.
“Of just the McCollum Road, we are looking at around $40,000 a mile to re-tar and gravel the road. So, with an $850,000 budget, that pretty much explains itself on the amount of millage we can do per year,” said Borden.
The county's engineer Mike Short said high traffic roads, the number of residents and road conditions play a factor in which road gets repaired first.
Short said the county needs more local revenue which would help speed up the road repairing process.
“That would be up to the public if they see us doing a good job. It would be up to them to vote in some other sort of tax that would be earmarked for the roads,” said Short.
Borden said the last step to tar and gravel on McCollum Road is expected to be completed by next spring.
He said Stevens Road in the Parish Community is next on the list as high priority for repairs.