TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) — Discussions are being had among Alabama lawmakers concerning newspaper publications and public work projects.
Title 39 under state law requires all public works project bids to be printed in the local newspaper where the project is planned.
The Alabama Department of Public Transportation (ALDOT) states that the Pickens County Herald was responsible for posting an ad for phase two – the final phase – of the Gordo Bypass project.
Overall, the project will create a four-lane highway connecting U.S. Highway 82 in Tuscaloosa County to the Mississippi State line. Phase two specifically involved “Constructing the partial grading, partial drainage, base, pavement, guardrail installation, traffic signs and traffic stripe on SR-6 (US-82) from the northwest city limits of Gordo to 0.440 miles east of the Tuscaloosa County line,” according to ALDOT.
“After bids were opened, it was learned that the local newspaper had failed to advertise as required by law,” ALDOT stated.
This meant another round of bids had to be opened, adding an extra $1.76 million in overall project costs – bringing the total to $45,591,659.
“It really got our attention because of how much money got wasted,” Rep. Bill Lamb for District 62 said.
Lamb added that this money will be coming out of taxpayers' pockets, which is why some lawmakers are looking at how this law can be modified.
“I think it’s the time we address it,” Lamb said. “We’re stewards of the taxpayer money.”
When the next legislative session begins, Rep. Ronald Bolton for District 1 said he’ll make sure all possible venues for publication are identified for public works projects.
“I will discuss this with the people who are more specialized in the public advertisement side of it with the legislature and narrow down the things we can accept,” Bolton said.
Pickens County Herald was not able to provide comment on Monday as the office was closed.
Additionally, the Greene County Independent and Northport Gazette have also failed to publish relevant ads regarding interstate maintenance and resurfacing work on I-20/I-59. This has caused the two projects to be delayed until Spring 2025.