Huntsville City Council approves application to improve Governors Dr., Holmes Ave.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. ( WAFF ) – It’s no secret that Huntsville is growing. That growth means more traffic for our city, which leads to safety concerns for drivers and pedestrians. To help alleviate traffic congestion and improve road safety, the Huntsville City Council has approved two U.S. Department of Transportation grant applications for improvements to Holmes Avenue and Governors Drive. If the applications are approved, those grants will total $21 million to help with roadway issues on the two major Huntsville roadways.

Both roads fall under Huntsville City Councilman Bill Kling’s district. One grant would help fund a study for improvements on an almost 8.85-mile stretch on Governors Drive that will improve traffic flow, as well as better accommodate pedestrians. Kling said these improvements could add more lanes or change traffic light timing.

“Governors Drive is right in the heart of the city and literally we have gridlock that takes place in the morning,” Kling said. “Going west when you’re at California Street, the traffic light turns red and you’ve got gridlock of cars backing way up into the mountain and that’s not a good thing.”

The second grant would fund construction for a 3.35-mile stretch on Holmes Avenue. This construction would add new sidewalks, bike lanes, and street lamps to accommodate pedestrians and drivers better. Kling said this project will transform the area – from the downtown link to UAH.

Kling added that both projects hope to work towards the city’s goal of zero roadway fatalities by 2055. “That will help that Holmes Avenue area because it will keep people off of the road and have a safe long sidewalk,” Kling said. “We have a lot of transportation needs. “We’re growing and traffic is getting more congested so I think this is a great plan and so is the one on Governors Drive.”

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