It’s no secret that Alabama’s road projects over the years have gone to areas of the state represented by powerful state representatives and senators who engaged in inside-Montgomery trading.

That was all well and good in the early days of interstate development, but there are areas of critical need in Alabama--both interstate and state roads--that have fallen victim to politics. The practice of building and repairing roads and bridges in exchange for political favors is both outdated and wrong. And this age-old bartering system must be ended regardless of what Party controls the Governor’s office and the Legislature. Simply put, need must take precedence over greed.

I have taken a keen interest in reforming Alabama’s approach to transportation projects because I represent an area of Alabama—Madison and Limestone Counties-- where traffic is at the breaking point. . Those who commute face a snail’s pace trip to work and home. Frustrated drivers become careless and aggressive and endanger others on the road.

This is why I have advocated creating a Transportation Commission that would serve as an independent body to oversee road and bridge building improvements in the Alabama Department of Transportation. In fact, for three straight legislative sessions, I supported and worked on legislation to establish a Commission to be appointed by the Governor for staggered six-year terms. Commissioners would be required to have the professional knowledge and engineering background necessary to develop a comprehensive transportation plan. The Commission would also appoint the Director of the Department of Transportation, thereby preventing political control by the Governor’s office and/or Legislature. Further, Commission members would be responsible for creating a formula to assess where road and bridge projects are most needed rather than the current system of political favoritism. During my term as a State Representative for our North Alabama area I have worked very closely with Rep. Cam Ward to amend the bill to give every area of the state a representive voice, this measure has passed the House where I serve but has met it's demise in the Senate.

Rep. Cam Ward and I have once again filed the Transportation Commission bill in hopes that there will be a different outcome in the Alabama Senate. Addressing road improvements where they are needed most rather than where they make the most political hay will be a novel idea in Alabama. According to ALDOT figures, a 15 year study revealed that for every dollar that my legislative district sends to Montgomery in gasoline taxes, we got back less than fifty three cents in road improvements.  I made this study public during my first year in office.  Over the past three years State funding for highway projects in our area have improved but we still have a long way to go.  There is no doubt that North Alabama is the economic engine that is producing jobs and revenue for the whole State.  With B.R.A.C. growth, North Alabama will be a key economic revenue producer for the State of Alabama for years to come.  But along with growth comes demands for infastructure to accommodate the growing economic development.  I feel like that economic growth and traffic flow should be primary reasons for determining where highway funding projects should be located.  If this were the case then North Alabama Highway projects should be first on the list.   

For too long, the state’s transportation planning has served political whims rather than the real needs of local communities. An independent commission for transportation is the first step in keeping politics from slowing the economic growth of a community.

Rep Mac McCutcheon
Alabama State Legislature District 25



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Serving you,
Rep. Mac McCutcheon
Phone: 256-655-3764