Army Rules Out Memphis-Atlanta Bypass Across Redstone Arsenal

Huntsville, AL – The Army has ruled out a proposed bypass through Redstone Arsenal for a route across north Alabama connecting Memphis and Atlanta.

Maj. Gen. James Myles, the arsenal's commander, recently advised Alabama Gov. Bob Riley that the Army felt the bypass would leave arsenal employees vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

The proposed ``Patriot Parkway'' was to connect Interstate 565 with the Atlanta-Memphis highway. The Army undertook new studies concerning security after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

Joe McInnes, director of the Alabama Department of Transportation, said the work already done on the highway between Memphis and Atlanta will still be usable, but the Army's decision could add years to the project.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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