Aderholt says "Hands are Tied" on 759 funding

Congressman Robert Aderholt

Alabama Congressman Robert Aderholt said Thursday that while he supports the extension of Interstate 759 in East Gadsden, his hands are tied as far as obtaining federal funds for the project through earmarking.

Aderholt, was in Gadsden Thursday for the dedication and open house of Quality of Life’s Health Services Gadsden Family and Student Health Solutions facility.

Aderholt said that state highway funding is controlled by the Alabama Department of Transportation, which also decides the projects that will be funded.

He said local legislators and officials should lobby ALDOT and Gov. Robert Bentley for funding for the project.

Aderholt said he’d like to see earmarking return, although ALDOT is happy with the current setup because it doesn’t want to be told where to spend federal money, it wants such decisions to be made in Montgomery.

Rep. Craig Ford, D-Gadsden, told the Gadsden City Council Tuesday that funding is needed for the project, and he hopes to set up a meeting with Bentley and local officials to discuss it.