By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – Governor Riley says the state will speed up traffic safety work along a 16-mile stretch of Highway 72 in Limestone County. The Alabama Department of Public Safety says there have been nine fatalities along the stretch between Athens and Rogersville in thelast four years and five deaths on that stretch in the past six months alone. The speed limit in the area will be reduced immediately from 65 to 60 miles per hour and to 45 miles per hour during bad weather. The Department of Transportation will pay overtime as well for extra trooper patrols along the highway section. The department also plans to seek legislative approval to hire a consultant to design improvements to Highway 72. The plan would add a fifth lane to the highway and could include a concrete median divider in areas where a fifth lane is not warranted. The highway is currently an undivided four-lane. Officials say it will be at least a year before work begins.