By Erik Harris
For The Tribune
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Council on Tuesday approved a project to erect interstate lighting from Deerfoot Parkway to Chalkville Road, which has been a near blackout stretch for drivers for some time.
To increase safety and provide a more well-lit experience for drivers, it will cost nearly $2 million. However, Trussville received a grant that requires the city to pay only 10 percent of the bill. The state picks up the remaining 90 percent.
In total, the project will cost Trussville $193,000 plus the ongoing cost of power. The state will be responsible for equipment maintenance.
“After you get past the Pinnacle (shopping center), it’s fairly dark until you get to the Chalkville Road exit and that interchange is light, and then it is dead dark when you get past that,” said City Clerk Lynn Porter.
Mayor Gene Melton added that lighting might also be constructed to select areas between Chalkville Road and the Pinnacle.
The project is part of Gov. Robert Bentley’s Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program.