Madison County Commission Chairman Wesley Nash said he talked to the state Department of Transportation (DOT) Monday and is hoping to get the go-ahead sometime this week for the paving of the road, a 1.09 mile route that runs right next to the new MCMS.
“I’ve really been pushing for this thing,” he said, saying that the process has been stymied with the change of commissioners at the state DOT.
Nash estimated that the road could be paved within two weeks of being given the verbal go-ahead by the state.
“That’s what I’m hoping,” Nash said.
The board of commissioners approved a $140,285 contract with Allied Paving July 28 for the paving of Fortson-Compton Road.
The road, which has already been graded, graveled and widened, will be the main artery for bus traffic. Classes started today (Thursday) at the new school.
“We are planning on using it with our buses, that’s one of our main routes in which we will bring buses into the school,” Madison County schools superintendent Dr. Mitch McGhee said.
He noted that most parent traffic will be funneled into the paved main entrance on Hwy. 172.
McGhee noted that Madison County buses constantly travel dirt roads, so this will be no different.
“It’s not unusual for our buses to travel a dirt road,” he said.
The only difference, McGhee said, is that “it (Fortson-Compton Road) just is right next to a school. We’ll deal with what we got to deal with.”
