Go Wide I-65 Coalition campaigns for change on Alabama interstate

MONTGOMERY, Ala. ( WHNT ) — Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth said he’s been talking about a plan to widen I-65 for over a year.

The Go Wide I-65 Coalition hopes to get the word out about this plan and stop the grid lock. Ainsworth said the plan includes making I-65 three lanes from Tennessee to Mobile. While some portions already have three lanes, he said the expansion will help with the miles of back-up.

“You know, right now I’m passing an 18-wheeler. It’s our main artery for transportation in the state. But not only that- also, when you look at eight million visitors coming to our state,” said Ainsworth. “And a lot of them travel I-65 going to the coast.”

While millions of dollars are spent on other road projects, Ainsworth said this is the number one infrastructure project that needs to be accomplished. “What we’ve gotta do, and ask ALDOT to do, is put together a plan,” he added. “Draw down federal funds. You can draw down close to 80% match, and then let’s start knocking this out in phases.”

George Clark founded the Go Wide I-65 Coalition.

“So the need was present two decades ago, and it’s even more imperative now that we do something about it,” He said

Clark, who serves as director emeritus and president of workforce development for Manufacture Alabama, hopes the group will help organize efforts to make it happen.

“It’s just going to become more and more congested. It will hinder economic development, and it will hinder tourism coming into the Gulf Coast area,” Clark said.

Clark noted the main problem with this project will be funding. Within days, he said they have raised over $200,000 in support for the project.

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