AROUND THE AREA

AROUND THE AREA Rebuild Alabama funds road enhancements

Rebuild Alabama is funding an additional $900,000 in maintenance for Tallapoosa County roads.

“We are very thankful for Rebuild Alabama funding because it is getting us ahead at least twice the rate,” David Moore, Tallapoosa County engineer, said. “The commission is doing all it can with the funds it has, including using discretionary funds.”

None of the funding for roads includes all-out new paving, as that costs above $1 million per mile. Instead, Tallapoosa County chooses pavement preservation projects that include patching, leveling and surface treatments of paved roads to stretch funding as far as possible.

Pavement preservation projects for fiscal year 2022 include portions or all of Washington Street, Elkahatchee Road, Pearson Chapel Road, Goodwater Road, Germany’s Ferry Road, Concord Road, South Tallassee Drive and Gammils Store Road.

Grants through Rebuild Alabama are making larger projects come to life. The bridge at Germany’s Ferry was cleaned and primed, and all of the substructure and superstructure steel was painted.

“We know we added at least 50 years to the life of the bridge,” Moore said. “It was needed. We have a couple of other bridges that need it, and we are applying for grants for those.” Another grant will see the widening and resurfacing of County Road 34 East between U.S. Highway 280 and Highway 49 this winter and next spring. Projects on the radar include Overlook Road and County Road 34 West, and requests for additional funding have been made for them. Moore said the county is constantly looking for and applying for grants to allow even more road work. Moore said just because a road is in poor shape does not mean it gets to the top of the repair list Roads of Change at the moment. The funds donated by Rebuild Alabama allowed for “Once we get the higherwork to be completed on Germany's Ferry Road that traffic volume roads done, we will add at least 50 years of life to the bridge. will branch down to lower traffic roads and improve those as well,” Moore said. “Higher traffic roads are a priority with county Rebuild Alabama funds. Tallapoosa County has done a great job with the resources it has had and spreading it as far as it could.” ~ Cliff Williams

Businesses are Booming in Dadeville

Lake Martin-Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce confirmed 13 grand openings this year and 30 new chamber members.

Chamber president Peggy Bullard said, “We’ve done more ribbon cuttings in this little town than we’ve ever done.”

She added there were several more to go.

New ventures just within the courthouse square include the Miller Hotel building, shuttered since the 1980s, which is being renovated into a restaurant, bed and breakfast and snack bar. Dadeville Performing Arts Center is moving in next door. Dadeville High School graduate Raven Tolbert has opened a dance studio on the corner, and smoothie shop Tallapoosa Nutrition celebrated the grand opening of its new location Friday. A yarn shop is moving into the old one. “With all of those, you’re hearing opening,” Mitzy Hidding, owner of Zazu’s Verandah, said. “You’re not hearing so-and-so is closing. It’s fantastic.” “We’re inviting all these new businesses into Dadeville,” she said. “And we’re welcoming them, and if they want to turn around and join the chamber, we would accept them. But Dadeville is growing. Dadeville is growing so fast right now, it’s hard for us to keep up with them.” ~ Siri Hedreen

Revamping History

The MIller Hotel is being renovated and turned into a restuarant.