By Erik Harris
TRUSSVILLE – Trussville Mayor Gene Melton was the featured speaker at the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce July luncheon.
While at the podium, Melton got the chamber up to speed on roadway construction, city finances and the expansion of the Trussville Public Library.
According to Melton, the old Trussville Community Center is scheduled for demolition in the near future. The mayor expects the building to come down in 30-45 days.
Once demolition is complete, the library expansion should begin to take flight. Included in the expansion will be a new storm shelter that will hold nearly 500 people.
“[After demolition], we will go back out for bid for the construction on the addition on the new library, and that should be this fall,” said Melton.
The mayor added that the library project has already been approved for funding by the Trussville City Council.
The luncheon, which was held at the Trussville Civic Center on Thursday, was sponsored by St. Vincent’s East.
Melton also shared information on the financial condition of the city, stating that Trussville is “financially solid.”
Road paving throughout the city is expected to begin soon. Construction on Trussville-Clay Road and the Interstate-459 ramps at Highway 11 is a priority.
“If we don’t fix and take care of [the city’s roadways], then people are going to stop coming to Trussville to shop, so we’ve got to fix our infrastructure and I thank the [city] council for supporting that effort,” said the mayor.
Dedicated turn lanes are scheduled to be added to the on/off-ramps on Highway 11, which connect drivers to Interstate-459. Those additions are expected to significantly improve traffic flow in the area.
Melton explained that the overall objective is to allow people to glide off the ramp, instead of coming to a complete stop at the bottom of the ramp to check traffic. The addition of stacking lanes will help in the City’s efforts to keep traffic from backing up to the interstate.