With the city’s approval of the ATRIP Phase II funding, Pike County Commissioners are eager to see the work that will be done to Elm Street Road.

Harry Sanders, Pike County administrator, said the county had already done its part of the work resurfacing Swindall Road, and soon the city will begin its work resurfacing Elm Street Road. Sanders said he was thankful the city and county had worked well together.

“From a city to county perspective, that’s one of the important things,” Sanders said. “It is a cooperative effort between city and county, and I think that we’re trying to make sure that everybody benefits at the maximum amount as possible with this project.”

Gov. Roberty Bentley initiated the ATRIP program in 2012, and some three years later Sanders said he was thankful to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“It has been a long journey,” Sanders said. “From the initiation of ATRIP to the culmination of ATRIP will be a very lengthy journey. And, it’s one that’s had a lot of decisions to be made and a lot of hurdles overcome.”

Sanders said the commissioners’ biggest concern was how to get the maximum amount of benefit for Pike County residents.

“The question we faced was ‘how do we achieve the maximum amount of benefit for the people?’, and I think this project while it doesn’t answer all the questions, it does all that we can to address those means. There is still work to be done. It is not a panacea.”

Sanders said the condition of the road had seriously deteriorated over time, and working together the county and city have been able to resurface the highly travelled roadways from within city limits to U.S. 231.

“On behalf of the commission, we are pleased that both the city and the county have come together for the benefit of the people of Pike County and providing better and safer roads for them to travel on,” Sanders said. “We appreciate the help the city has given us.”

And, while not all residents on the road are in the county, Sanders said he understood the hardships those who live on Elm Street Road or frequently travel on it.

“The people in that area have been very patient and have suffered long with less than desirable conditions,” Sanders said. “We appreciate their continued patience, and as we work through the project, we think it’s something that they will be happy with.”