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Messenger photo/Jonah Enfinger Pictured above, Mayor Jason Reeves (right) presents Johnny Witherington (center) and his wife Barbara (left) with the new road sign that bears his name.

Messenger photo/Jonah Enfinger

Messenger photo/Jonah Enfinger

Messenger photo/Jonah Enfinger

Messenger photo/Jonah Enfinger

Messenger photo/Jonah Enfinger

Messenger photo/Jonah Enfinger

Messenger photo/Jonah Enfinger

The City of Troy officially named the two new roads constructed as part of the Enzor Road Connector Project Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting dedication.

The ceremony was held Wednesday at the intersection of the two new roads, Trojan Parkway and John H. Witherington Drive.

The roads were created in part to recruit Publix and develop the Park Place shopping center and to ease traffic from U.S. Highway 231.

“This has been a long time in the making,” said Mayor Jason Reeves. “I remember walking through here in 2013 and stepping over the creek and thinking maybe we could build a road here.

“This is something the community has wanted and looked forward to for a long time. A lot of hard work was put in by a lot of people to make this happen.”

Receiving special honors at the ceremony was former council president John Witherington and his family. The council named the road that stretches from Oak Park Drive to the intersection of U.S. 231 and South Franklin Drive after Witherington for his contribution to the planning of the project.

“Johnny did the things that needed to be done, “Reeves said. “He was a cheerleader when he needed to be a cheerleader and he got on my butt when I needed it. Who could ask for a better leader and mentor?

“It couldn’t be more appropriate that one of these roads is named for Johnny.”

Witherington graciously accepted the honor, even if he would have rather stayed out of the light.

“Those of you who know me know I don’t like surprises,” Witherington said. “And it was certainly a surprise when I found out the council decided to recognize one of the roads in my name. But from the bottom of my heart, it’s appreciated.”

Reeves said when he called Witherington to tell him the news, Witherington said it should have been named “taxpayer avenue.”

“I’d like to thank the people that contributed and the citizens of Troy that made this possible,” Witherington said.

In addition to the citizens, special thanks was awarded to the past and present city councils and city officials who contributed to the planning of the project, to the engineers and construction crews that helped bring that vision to reality and to the many individuals and businesses that donated land for the project to be possible.

Past and present councilmembers honored were Charlie “Sarge” Dunn, Greg Meeks, Marcus Paramore, Witherington, the late Dejerilyn King Henderson, Robert Jones and Stephanie Baker. Former mayor Jimmy Lunsford was also thanked for laying the groundwork before the project began. Reeves also singled out planning administrator Melissa Sanders for her help making the project possible.

CDG engineers along with S.A. Graham Company, Inc. and Grady Ralls and Sons, Inc. were recognized for their work on the engineering and contracting work on the road.

Frank Thomas III, Walt Stell, Sherrill and Carolyn Crow, Gail Dickens, Cary and Cecil Dozier, Millie Johnson, 3S Properties, Carolina Grils, PAI-MAR, Troy Marketplace, Troy Partners 1 and 2 and Wheelless Realty Corp were all honored for their donation of property to the city.

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