Road Repairs Running Slim in Bullock Co.

Tools

By Jessica Gertler

Story Created: Jun 4, 2012 at 5:05 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jun 4, 2012 at 10:52 PM CDT

From the CBS 8 Troy Newsroom-- Some long needed road repairs are coming to Bullock County thanks to state funding. Some residents we spoke with say it's not enough. 

Earlier this year, CBS 8 News told you about several roads and bridges that Bullock County residents we're concerned about.  While some are being fixed thanks to federal and state grants, community members say there are still plenty of roads that need repair.

Improvements are on the way. County Road 22 will soon be repaved thanks to a state grant, and with help from federal grants, four bridges on County Road 177 should be renovated this fall.

Residents say roads across the county have gotten so bad,  they've become too dangerous to drive on.

"For instance, this one coming up right up through here. This road is terrible," says Charlie Jackson.

Resident Maggie Manuel says she's had to swerve to miss a pot hole putting her life at risk.

"I actually flipped over twice, because of the bushes and the roads were so bad. But nothing has happened to the road yet," she says.

County Commissioner Alonza Ellis says while relief is on the way,  he's afraid this could be it. He says the county has to match every grant from the state and federal government by 20 percent.

"Twenty percent in normal times is not a bad deal, but these are not normal times," Ellis says. "Not with the economy the way it is. "

Ellis says until the county can find the funding, roads like Courtnay Road 185 will keep the name "Pot Hole Road," and dirt will remain the solution.

"I got to continue to turn it into a dirt road, so I can maintain it better. That's not what they want, but as of right now with the money like it is that's the best I can do," he says.

Ellis says until the state steps in and provides more relief, the only money coming in to fix the roads is from taxes. He says the more residents shop local, the faster they'll see improvement.

County leaders say construction on County Road 22 should start this summer.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

What's onFull Schedule

Featured Content

Hot Video From AP

AP Video