In the 1990's, the Alabama Department of Transportation decided to up-grade a section of US Highway 98 to better accommodate traffic. The stretch of road, known unfortunately as “Bloody 98,” runs from Semmes to the Mississippi state line.  After studying the prospect of widening the existing section US Highway 98, ALDOT decided instead to bypass the ten-mile stretch road and build a new roadway, further north, stretching from the Mississippi state line to Interstate 65. This placement required the roadway to cross over the headwaters of Big Creek Lake (Mobile’s drinking water supply) thirteen times. Concern arose that if the road was built or designed improperly, construction and location could potentially pollute or contaminate Big Creek Lake and the drinking water for more than 250,000 people.

ALDOT caused massive damage to our rivers and drinking water supply through poor project construction design and improper installation of stormwater controls which caused sediment (mud) to discharge freely into the streams near Big Creek Lake. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Army Corps of Engineers completely ignored the problem. This damage was eventually stopped because a concerned neighbor had the Press Register come out with a camera.

Currently Mobile Baykeeper has pending federal and state lawsuits against ALDOT for Clean Water Act violations.  Mobile Area Water and Sewer System has intervened on our behalf in our state case, and we are currently in mediation with ALDOT in that lawsuit.  We believe we have presented a solution to resolve the Highway 98 issue, complete the road, ensure no additional pollution is added to the Escatawpa River and our drinking water supply, Big Creek Lake, and addresses the damage already caused. It is up to ALDOT to accept the responsibility so we can all move forward.

We know that safe transportation is very important, however, citizens have the right to a high quality of life as well. Our motto is Clean Water, Clean Air, Healthy People and we believe we must vigorously protect our drinking water. Healthy people must have clean water; the two are inextricably linked. When the quality of our drinking water goes down, the quality of life inevitably goes with it.

Road to Nowhere

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