SOMERVILLE — Expanding a stretch of Alabama 67 in southeastern Morgan County to four lanes not only will improve safety for motorists but should boost the area economy, officials said.

The Alabama Department of Transportation will unveil maps of the proposed corridor Dec. 15 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Old Somerville Courthouse.

“The hardest part of the journey is the first step,” said state Sen. Arthur Orr, who has been instrumental in moving the upgrade to the front burner. “This is one of those first steps in a long journey, but it’s an important step in determining the route for this expansion.”

The state plans to widen the road starting in Priceville at the bottom of Priceville Mountain, where four lanes weave into two lanes. The plan covers about 13 miles to the traffic signal in Florette, where Cotaco-Florette and Eva roads connect to Alabama 67. Eva Road leads to nearby Brewer High School.

Cliff Booth, principal at Brewer, said the expansion would dramatically improve the travel to and from Priceville and be “a tremendous safety improvement” for students.

“Since I’ve been here (since February), we’ve had half a dozen accidents with students losing control and going off the road,” he said. “If you leave the road, there’s no room to recover because of low shoulders. It is almost like driving a tight wire.”

Orr, R-Decatur, said the upgrade also will increase property values and the prospects for jobs.

“And it will certainly help with the speed of transportation for residents in the center of the county to get to Interstate 65 or to the county seat and courthouse in Decatur,” he said.

Johnny Harris, Division 1 engineer for the Department of Transportation, said the expansion is closer to reality from the standpoint that his department has an approved preliminary engineering scheme.

‘Local concerns’

“We want to know if there are any local concerns or questions about the alignment of the project,” he said. “We will solicit responses on environmental issues that may be prevalent.”

Harris said the state could then proceed to the next phase of identifying right-of-way needs.

“Budget constraints would determine when we could begin right-of-way acquisitions,” he said.

He said that completing the entire project could take anywhere from five to 10 years — or longer.

Harris said the department will be looking statewide at what projects it can realistically fund.

“Traffic volume history and economic development all come into play,” he said. “About 11,000 vehicles per day travel Alabama 67 through Priceville in both directions along the proposed corridor.”

Priceville Mayor Melvin Duran said his town is anxious “for any positive movement” on the road.

“We’ve waited a long time. I’m happy Sen. Orr and other members of our legislative delegation are pushing this,” he said. “They understand the need.”

The news that the upgrade is progressing also excites Somerville Mayor Ray Long.

“It will open up our town,” he said. “We’re getting ready to start on our sewer. Wrap everything together and it’s an ideal formula for growth.”

He said there were several areas for potential growth all along the corridor.

Existing businesses will also gain from the expansion. It could prompt the State Products Mart Authority of Morgan County to move quicker on its plans to further develop Celebration Arena at Priceville.

“We’re already planning for renovations and upgrades and to buy a little extra land,” said Products Mart Chairman Ed Monroe. “But a four-lane would help us tremendously. I believe it would behoove everybody to get behind it because it will boost the whole county.”

Products Mart

Products Mart is investing heavily in the site, having recently bought the arena for $650,000 from the Racking Horse Breeders Association of America.

“I thought (the four lane) was way out in the future,” he said. “It would be a pleasant surprise if they could get it done a lot quicker. We probably would have a five-year improvement plan down to three if they were going to do something fairly soon.”