Public Forum Tuesday For Proposed Access Road Near TCHS

NORTHPORT, AL — A public forum will be held Tuesday, March 9 for those interested in discussing a proposed access road from Highway 43 in Northport, behind Tuscaloosa County High School.

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The forum will be held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Northport Civic Center.

The proposed access road would run from U.S. Highway 43 to Frankie Thomas Tracie Road behind the high school, which would be constructed close to the Grand Pointe subdivision.

Jamie Lake represents District 2 on the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education and told Patch on Friday that with the new Northport Intermediate School currently under construction and set to open in August will bring the total to three schools in the vicinity with TCHS and Northport Elementary. The changes in traffic flow, he said, will be crucial to address before students return.

Lake said while Wildcat Drive could potentially be used to access the new school, the only true entry and exit point at present is Frankie Thomas Trace.

"Residents are concerned about it, so we don't want to make a decision until we've heard from everybody," he said. "But knowing we have to make a decision soon, whether it's expanding existing entry points or something else ... I've had dozens and dozens of phone calls with people who have concerns, not all negative, so I know there is some interest out there and we are doing the public's business. I'm attending this meeting next week with an open mind and open ears to hear what people have to say. I don't have my mind made up on anything yet."

Jamie Dykes represents District 4 on the Northport City Council and has been in recent talks with other officials about the project, which she said could carry a pricetag from $3 million to $4 million.

"My understanding is that cost will be split among the Tuscaloosa County School System, the County Commission and Northport," she said. "We haven't been given a final cost. Also, the City of Northport is hosting a public information session on Tuesday night at City Hall from 5-7. The engineering firm and hopefully both school board members will be there. It will be an opportunity for residents to ask questions and voice their concerns."

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