A new federal law approves and funds the construction of a five-state interstate highway that will connect travelers from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. The project has already begun in Texas, with the first 25-miles constructed, but ground-break is expected to begin soon in Alabama. The following Alabama counties will be the most impacted by this project:
- Butler
- Choctaw
- Clarke
- Conecuh
- Dallas
- Lee
- Lowndes
- Macon
- Marengo
- Monroe
- Montgomery
- Russell
- Sumter
ALDOT Condemnation
A lot of land is being condemned by the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) for this project. Eminent domain is the power that grants Alabama the ability to condemn land for an interstate highway.
Landowners are provided protections by the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which provides that “[n]o person shall be … deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process or law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.” The Alabama Constitution provides similar protections.
The time to hire a condemnation attorney is when you learn that your property may be affected. Don’t wait until you have been served with a lawsuit. It is extremely important that you understand your rights before accepting an offer. Most people do not realize they are entitled to far more than what they were offered. It is a mistake to accept ALDOT’s first offer without consulting an experienced condemnation attorney at Sewell Sewell Beard, LLC at (205) 544-2350.
For more information on the condemnation process, see Understanding the Stages of an Eminent Domain Case in Alabama.
