We, the undersigned of this petition, request that the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) perform a new and current environmental impact assessment on the expansion of State Road (SR) 181 in Baldwin County between SR-104 and SR-42/US-98.  This includes evaluating the cost and the effects of noise, pollution, and neighborhood disruption as well as the environmental impacts of the proposed expansion.  We further request that new public hearings be scheduled and conducted to hear from current residents who will be impacted by the project.  Furthermore, we request that the expansion plans between SR-181 and SR-42/US-98 be revised to minimize the impact on the residents and business owners along SR-181 (i.e., slightly adjusting the added lanes to the west or east of the existing lanes to mitigate or eliminate the encroachment into neighborhoods, residences, and businesses).

We understand that in 2004 and 2005, public meetings were held to discuss the plans for the expansion of SR-181 in Baldwin County.  In 2006 and 2007, an impact assessment was done and approved of the local area that would be impacted by the road expansion.  Plans for the expansion were subsequently drawn up and approved based on these meetings and assessments.  In the 18 years since the public hearings and 16 years since the impact assessment, the population along SR-181 has increased exponentially. The developments of Quail Creek, Firethorne, and Stone Creek, among many others, blossomed into flourishing neighborhoods.  Additionally, there are numerous businesses located on SR-181 which contribute to the economic backbone of Baldwin County.

Beginning on September 1, 2022, we understand that ALDOT intends to request approval to utilize the already allocated funds to begin purchasing the rights of way needed to begin expanding SR-181 from SR-104 to the point of intersection between SR-181 and SR-42/US-98.  If the current plans are carried out to fruition, numerous residents on the eastern side of SR-181 will be impacted by the land purchases.  This impact will not only be in loss of homes that must be purchased to secure the rights of way, but will also affect the property owners whose homes will be in much closer proximity to the new bounds of  SR-181. This impact will also take the form of increased noise and pollution, as well as decreased safety and property values.  It is the goal of this petition that:

1.) These plans are reassessed, given that the current assessment is woefully out-of-date;

2.) That project authorization be removed and withheld until such due diligence has been completed; and

3.) All of the aforementioned effects be taken into consideration and all possible mitigation methods considered.