Mo BROOKS IENCE, SPACE, AND NOLOGY COMA chenraae Sky . ta rate SERVICES COMMITTEE Congress of the United States House of Representatives FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE March 26, 2018 ‘The Honorable Kay Ivey Governor of the State of Alabama 600 Dexter Avenue Montgomery, AL 36130 Dear Governor Ivey, Thank you and Secretary Canfield for the great job you have done in helping to recruit, new industries to the Tennessee Valley and Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District! ‘The successfil recruitment of Toyota/Mazda and Bocar and the expansion of existing Toyota, Hexcel, Polaris facilities, and multiple other Tennessee Valley employers, are all welcome news. Of course, industrial growth means more people in the Tennessee Valley which, in turn, ‘means worsening traffic congestion and the need for commiserate transportation improvements. One of the Tennessee Valley’s primary challenges is I-56 traffic flow between the City of Madison and 1-65 (and, further in the future, between I-65 and western Decatur). Currently, 1.565 traffic loads cause frequent stoppages and accidents during rush hour times. And this is before thousands of additional commuters are added to the traffic flow with announced new industry start-ups and expansions and supplier businesses that will locate in the valley to meet major industrial needs. ‘The total employment impact of just the Toyota/Mazda project alone in the 1-565 and I- 65 transportation area is estimated to be in the 10,000 to 15,000 range. If just 10% or so of these workers travel the busy I-565 corridor then this 4-lane section of I-565 would easily rank as the most congested rush hour 4-lane interstate section in Alabama. ‘The Tennessee Valley competes nationally for industrial growth. One of our big selling points has always been the much faster travel time to and from work, | urge you to help us stay ahead of our traffic congestion issues before it gets even worse and hampers industrial recruitment efforts, Please direct the Alabama Department of Transportation to expedite the 6- laning of 1-565 from Madison to 1-65. 1 understand the competing demands for limited resources but the projected growth rates along this corridor should be evaluated when prioritizing Alabama’s transportation projects. 1 hope you concur that Alabama cannot afford to let traffic congestion stifle the economic growth of one of the fastest growing, and largest state revenue producing, Alabama regions.Thank you for considering my request and helping to address this long-overdue and pressing transportation issue. Sincerely, Mo Dneorha- Mo Brooks, M.C. Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District cc: ‘The Honorable Greg Canfield Secretary of Alabama Department of Commerce 401 Adams Avenue P.O, Box 304106 Montgomery, AL 36130 ‘The Honorable Tab Bowling Mayor of the City of Decatur P.O, Box 488 Decatur, AL 35602 Director John Cooper Alabama Department of Transportation ALDOT Administrative Office 1409 Coliseum Boulevard Montgomery, AL 36110