By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – Frank Courson of the state Department of Transportation says he appeared before the grand jury yesterday to discuss a road that the Siegelman administration ordered built to a private toll bridge in Tuscaloosa. The toll bridge was built by developer Jim Allen. One of the men who served as state transportation director during Siegelman's term, Mack Roberts, had previously worked for Allen. The grand jury also heard Wednesday from Roberts' successor as transportation director, Paul Bowlin, who declined comment after leaving the grand jury chambers. Siegelman's former chief of staff, Jim Buckalew, appeared before the grand jury Wednesday. Buckalew says he was asked to discuss transportation matters. Siegelman's attorney, Doug Jones, says the federal grand jury is simply trolling and has no clear direction.