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Our Opinions Clarke County Commissioner Rhondel Rhone wasted no time in using his new role as president of the Association of County Commissioners of Alabama to address a problem facing rural Alabama. Speaking to the organization at its annual convention a few weeks ago Rhone said Alabama's rural roads are at a "crisis" stage. He highlighted the statistics: Three hundred thirty-one people were killed in traffic accidents on county-maintained roads in 2005. That's 33 percent of all traffic fatalities in the state. What's worse is that this is a disproportionate share, given that rural roads see far less traffic than interstates and state and federal highways in more populated areas. "Unless we join together and take the lead on this issue, more people will lose their lives," Rhone said. Counties struggle to maintain the roads that they have, allocating an average of $4,700 a mile for maintenance with state gasoline tax revenue. The state by comparison receives almost $17,000 in gas tax revenue per lane mile. The 67 counties also share in an annual appropriation of $500,000 in federal funds. However, some 6,300 miles of rural roads are considered substandard by federal regulations and do not qualify for federal assistance. A good road network is the lifeblood of a county. Conversely, bad roads can be inhibitors to growth. The answer, of course, is more money. Where that money comes from is a harder question. We congratulate Commissioner Rhone on being elected president of the state commissioners' association and we appreciate him bringing this problem to the forefront for discussion.
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