Quotes and Images for Each Highway Corridor or Study Area
1. US 80 in Alabama
In the general U.S. Route 80 corridor, some employment centers already exist in rural locations. This image is at the entrance of an Industrial Park about 10 miles east of Selma, Alabama. The company sign is the Warren Oil Company. February 2001
In the general U.S. Route 80 corridor, some employment centers already exist in rural locations. This image is the advanced signing for an Industrial Park about 10 miles east of Selma, Alabama U.S. Route 80 is a 4-lane divided highway at this point. February 2001
In the general U.S. Route 80 corridor, some employment centers already exist in rural locations. This image is at the entrance of an Industrial Park about 5 miles east of Selma, Alabama. This Industrial Park is an example of adapted use; it was previously a U.S. Department of Defense facility. U.S. Route 80 is a 4-lane divided highway at this point. - February 2001
The eastern side of the commercial part of Selma, Alabama, is marked by strip type development along U.S. Route 80. U.S. Route 80 is a 4-lane divided highway here with transition from rural to urban characteristics, e.g. no curb, but more frequent traffic lights. Near this site, an eastern bypass routes thru trucks away from the downtown area. - February 2001
The east side of the Selma, Alabama central business district is, at this point on U.S. Route 80, an urban, undivided 4-lane highway. A roadside sign provides direction to the national Voting Right Museum. This is about the point of origin of the Selma to Montgomery 54 mile march in March of 1965. The section of U.S. Route 80 between Selma and Montgomery has been designated an All American Road as described at http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2050/. February 2001.
The center of the Selma, Alabama business district is at about this portion of U.S. Route 80. At this point U.S. Route 80 is a 4-lane undivided urban highway. Diagonal parking is on both sides. Selma has a population of about 24,000. - February 2001.
The eastern side of Uniontown, Alabama, population about 2,500 is marked by strip development. This portion of U.S. Route 80 is a 2- lane highway. No bypass of downtown Uniontown currently exists. - February 2001
The western side of Uniontown, Alabama is a transition from urban land use to rural land use. The sign shown in the image is about 50 yards north of U.S. Route 80. The sign advertises: Commercial, Farmland, Catfish ponds and Residential. - February 2001
The east side of Demopolis, Alabama, population about 7,000 indicates that the city was founded in 1817. The city slogan "City of the People" is what Demopolis means in Greek. - February 2001.
"I campaigned for office on the issues of improvements in education and health and many other things, but once I was elected, most of what I heard from my constituents was 'when is that pothole going to be fixed, when is that road going to be widened'"-- Jesse Upshaw, Commissioner, Macon County, January 30, 2002 at consultant/stakeholder meeting.
"This study may help show my fellow county residents that we are living in a hidden treasure and just need some help [meaning better access and information] for our own citizens to find it"-- Myron C. Penn, Chariman, Bullock County Commission, January 30, 2002 at consultant/stakeholder meeting.
From left to right: Myron C. Penn, Chairman, Bullock County Commission, stakeholder; Artie Menefee, Planning and Economic Development Program Assistant, Lee-Russell Council of Governments, stakeholder; Jesse Upshaw, Commissioner, Macon County, stakeholder; Dr. Alicia J. Jackson, Interim Dean, College of Business and Information Sciences, Tuskegee University, study analyst; Ron Green, Bureau Chief of Hiring & Promotions and Executive Assistant Transportation Director, Alabama DOT, stakeholder; Patrick Trintz, Planner, South Central Alabama Development Commission, stakeholder; and Patrick Dunson, Asst. Engineer, Russell County Engineering Department, stakeholder. January 30, 2002.
2. US 43 in Alabama
Demopolis Plaza is just north of the junction of U.S. Route 43 and U.S Route 80, U.S. Route 43 is a 2- lane highway through Demopolis, Alabama while U.S. Route 80 is a 4-lane undivided urban highway through Demopolis. The boats parked near by are probably for use at Lake Demopolis or the Black Warrior River. February 2001.
On U.S. Route 43, about 10 miles south of Eutaw, Alabama, a farmer decorates his land with farm art using wood and hay. This farm is on the west side of U.S. Route 43. - February 2001.
Eutaw, Alabama, is on U.S. Route 43, within two miles of I-20/59. Eutaw has a population of about 2,000. U.S. Route 43 is a 2-lane highway through Eutaw. This downtown section has diagonal parking on both sides of the street. - February 2001.
"If we do not improve this highway [portion of US 43 north of Grove Hill, Alabama] the future will be like the past ...and a lot of people will be driving around looking and wondering where their next job will be. If we improve the highway, we can save our employers and have more of them."-- Austin Caldwell, mayor, Demopolis, Alabama, January 31, 2002 at project intiation meeting in Grove Hill.
"We may have to go down into the valley [area with high unemployment near Stillman College in the general US 43 corridor which could have better access to a nearby employer] and put flesh on the dry bones [improve the highway]"-- Dr. Eddie Thomas, Project Coordinator on Stillman College Analysis team, January 29, 2002 at consultant/stakeholder meeting.
3. Corridors in Imperial County, CA
South of I-8 in El Centro, CA. The residential development came before the interchange with Imperial Ave. was improved, but commercial and industrial development, and the jobs that accompany it, requires the interchange improvements. (March 27, 2003)
This sugar factory south of Brawley and north of El Centro, CA has recently received funding for a sugar cane to gasohol expansion that could add several hundred jobs To the area. As indicated on the building, the elevation here is about 40 feet below Sea level. The Imperial Irrigation District considers this indirectly related to the Brawley Bypass which is parallel to SR 86. March 27, 2003
This beef processing plant recently opened and is directly related to the highway improvements near Brawley. The direct and indirect employment generated by the plant may eventually be more than 1000 jobs. March 27, 2003
Brawley Bypass (SR 78) partially open to traffic and under construction. March 27, 2003
Regional Medical Center in El Centro, CA. Recent expansion of the medical center has resulted in many new jobs. The center expects to be able to relocate once the I-8 Imperial Ave. interchange is improved. March 27, 2003
4. Corridor in Orange Cove, CA (Fresno County)
Local advisory committee meeting at the Economic Development Corporation, Fresno County. The Manning Avenue Corridor in Fresno County. Picture taken in 2002.
The City of Orange Cove lies at the eastern portion of the Manning Avenue Corridor. Picture taken in 2002.
Traffic at the intersection of Manning Avenue and Reed Avenue in the City of Reedley about at the center of The Manning Avenue Corridor. Picture taken in 2002.
Workers on a raisin production farm in the City of Selma at the west end of the Manning Avenue Corridor. Picture taken in 2002.
7. Corridors in Roosevelt County, Montana - US Route 2 (Fort Peck Indian Reservation)
Inside historic Fort Union just east of the study area at the North Dakota- Montana Border. November 2002.
Former Prison now a museum in Poplar, Montana. The Grandfather of Raymond Ogle (pictured above left nearest the window) was a guard at this prison. Mr. Ogle is Director of Economic Development for the Fort Peck Tribes and FHWA's primary contact for this project. (Right) is David Levy, consultant with ICF, the lead contractor for the study area. November 2002.
Historic ferry that once served passengers crossing the Missouri River near Poplar, Montana with museum and gift shop in the background. November 2002.
Area north of US Route 2 between Brockton and Poplar, Montana where circle irrigation systems will be placed allowing higher value products to be grown. Investments in access roads would allow for the local economy to capture the full range of potential benefits from the irrigation project. November 2002.
Missouri River south of Poplar, Montana River near site once served by ferry. Lewis and Clark passed along this part of the Missouri almost 200 years ago. Local tribal officials are hoping that the local economy will benefit from the hundreds of thousands of tourist that are expected to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the expedition. November 2002.
BNSF train between Poplar and Culbertson, Montana and near a sugar beet processing facility. November 2002.
Sherman square in Wolf Point, Montana. November 2002.
9. Interstate 99 Corridor in Pennsylvania
Members of the advisory committee for the PA Corridor Study.
March 14, 2003
From left to right, they are: Matt Smoker, FHWA PA Division; Bob Momich, PennDOT Central Office; Wes Burket, Altoona MPO; Mark Murawski, Williamsport MPO; Gary Connelly, PennDOT District 3-0; Fred Querry, SAPDC; Bert Kisner, PennDOT District 2-0; Ron Samuel, PennDOT District 9-0; and Tom Zilla, Centre Region MPO.
Service road parallel to I-99 under construction about 5 miles southwest of College Station, PA.
March 13, 2003
New business opening in Tyrone, PA which has benefited from transportation enhancement funds as well as I-99.
March 13, 2003
In September 2003, a regional newspaper published an article subtitled 'TYRONE - Street project, I-99 raise hopes' which dealt with the economic development potential of I-99.
City Center in Tyrone, PA.
March 13, 2003
West edge of Tyrone, PA accessible from I-99.
March 13, 2003
Pedestrians structure connecting site of Railroaders Memorial Museum and town hall, Altoona, PA.
March 13, 2003
Stadium for Altoona Curve baseball team, Altoona, PA. I-99 provides access to this site.
March 13, 2003
Retail Center recently rebuilt and expanded near I-99 south of Altoona, PA. Much of the center had been damaged in a fire several years earlier.
March 13, 2003
10. Corridors in Shannon and Jackson Counties, South Dakota (Pine Ridge Indian Reservation)
"Economics 101 says we need better roads to serve our internal economy. We don't have that yet and it hurts us [the total of unemployment, under employment and labor force non participation has been estimated as high as 85% in the area]. When we do get the proper road infrastructure, we can better realize our economic potential. This especially includes tourism, which, little as it is now, already contributes materially to our internal economy. It's only common sense." John Steele, President, Ogalla Sioux Tribe, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, June 11, 2002, at a Study Advisory Committee meeting.
In front of the Two Pines Tribal Administration Building, Pine Ridge South Dakota. From left to right:
Back Row: David Levy; ICF Consulting; Alan Friesen, FHWA South Dakota Division Administrator; Fred Brown, Oglala Sioux Tribe; Gerry Foell, BIA; Jeff Whalen, Oglala Sioux Tribe Transportation Planner; Gaylan Bolster, BIA; Gerry Foell, BIA.
Front Row: Sakina Khan, ICF Consulting; Dennis King, Federal Tribal District Monitor; Pamela Hatch, BIA Administrator; Crystal Eagle Elk, Oglala Sioux Tribe Transportation; Donna Salomon, Oglala Sioux Tribe Secretary; John Yellow Bird Steele, President, Oglala Sioux Tribe.
June 11, 2002
The Oglala Lakota College in Kyle, South Dakota, founded in 1971, has an enrollment of about 1,000. Managers of tourism assets could potentially be trained at this institution
June 2001
About 10 miles west southwest of Hermosa, SD, the asphalt concrete surface of State Route 40 ends and a stabilized gravel surface begins. This is the shortest route between Mt Rushmore and potential tourism assets in the Pine Ridge Reservation.
June 11, 2002
Junction of two stabilized gravel surface roads (BIA 2 and BIA 41) in the Pine Ridge Reservation, SD. The sign in the background indicates that a food store is ten miles away.
June 11, 2002
Two vehicles have pulled off on the shoulder to climb a 200' hill and view the escarpment to the east on BIA 41 in the Pine Ridge Reservation, SD. If the Reservation had a mature tourism industry, a small parking lot on this site could permit viewing and could potentially support some revenue enterprises (e.g., snack shop and souvenier stand). BIA 41 connects the south portion of the Badlands National Park to State Route 18 which provides easy access to Prairie Wind Casino (to the west) and Wounded Knee (to the east).
June 11, 2002
A bison herd near the town of Pine Ridge, SD. This herd has baby bison. A potential tourism asset for the Reservation would combine a petting zoo and a nature walk, with accompanying photo/souvenir enterprise.
June 11, 2002
11. U.S. 83 Corridor in Webb, Dimmit, and Zavala Counties, Texas
The US 83 Texas study corridor represents approximately 120 miles of highway with "Super Two" Characteristics, that is, full depth shoulder about 8 feet wide adjacent to each 12 foot wide travel lane. Some drivers consider the shoulder part of the travel lane. Most of US 83 is rural in character, February 2002.
In 2000, the Laredo port of entry accounted for roughly 41.2% of the total value in overland trade with Mexico. The image shows hundreds of tractor trailers leaving the Port of Entry, many of which will use US 83 May 2001.
.
An important issue in the study was the type of traffic mix that includes tractor trailers, Recreational vehicles (RV's), delivery trucks, oil drilling rigs and equipment, oil tankers and local traffic and its relationship to traffic safety and road damage. In the picture, RV's and cars are parked at a rest stop on US 83. -February 2002.
US 83. A new pullover lane in study corridor is shown at the top of the picture, February, 2002. Slower moving traffic is to use the right hand lane in such sections. The length of such pullover lanes is about one quarter of a mile.
The Triple R Ranch, a meeting place for tourists, near US 83 sits on the Nueces River. -February 2002.
"700 fortune 1000 companies pass through Laredo" -John Adams, Executive Director, Laredo Development Foundation. February 2002
"We have to provide opportunities for our young people that will encourage them to stay. Now they are leaving, which is detrimental to our communities and opportunities for growth." -Ignacio Urrabazo, Jr., President, IBC Commerce Bank, August, 2002 interview.
"We conducted an informal survey of our RV tenants and they indicated that adding more pullover lanes would be an asset to US 83." -Barbara Rice, Owner Triple R Ranch, CrystalCity. Comment at stakeholder meeting in January 2003
"We have to be very aggressive in our industry recruitment efforts to take advantage of our proximity to Laredo, new Empowerment Zone incentives, and expanding trade with Mexico and Latin America." -Eleazar Salinas, Jr., City Manager, CrystalCity, Texas. August, 2002 interview.
"This is an excellent study, but the question still remains the same... how do we fund these improvements in a time of very limited resources and competing interests?" -Luis Ramirez, Laredo District Engineer, TXDOT January 2003 meeting.
12. West Virginia Highway Corridors
Several members of the consultant performing the West Virginia Corridor Study and members of the advisory committee. In the background is the West Virginia State Capital.
March 24, 2003.
From left to right, those pictured are:
Shelly Dan, Corridor G Redevelopment Authority; Kevin Burgess,Federal Highway Administration; Mike Whitt,Mingo County Redevelopment Authority; Tom Smith, Federal Highway Administration; Rondel Thompson, Global Insight; Doug Rice, Wilbur Smith; Dave Cramer, West Virginia Department of Transportation
Recent retail center on Corridor G (US Route 119) about 3 miles southwest of Charleston, WV.
March 24, 2003
View of Retail Center about 4 miles southwest of Charleston near Corridor G (US Route 119) in West Virginia.
March 24, 2003
View of recent retail development along Corridor G (US Route 119) about 4 miles southwest of Charleston (looking north) in West Virginia.
March 24, 2003
To provide Feedback, Suggestions, or Comments for this page contact Stefan Natzke stefan.natzke@dot.gov or 202-366-5010
