A number of transportation, infrastructure, and construction projects are underway throughout Alabama. Property owners in Limestone and Madison counties should be aware of how these projects could impact their land. Federal, state, and local governments have the right to seize private property for public use. In exchange, the seizing entity must provide “just compensation” to the property owner. This process is called condemnation, and it can be complicated for affected property owners—especially if they do not fully understand their legal rights. Let’s take a look at a few upcoming projects that will likely cause eminent domain and condemnation issues in the near future.
The US-72 West Roadway Project
The Alabama Department of Transportation announced a substantial highway project between County Line Road and Providence Main. The goal is to convert the existing four-lane divided highway into a six-lane divided highway, reduce the number of access points along the corridor, and minimize the corridor’s median crossovers. As with any highway expansion project, property owners in the immediate vicinity can expect to be affected by eminent domain and condemnation actions.
U.S. Space Command HQ and FBI Projects
In mid-January, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced that Hunstville would serve as the location for Space Command. With the construction of this massive complex, at least 1,600 new jobs will be created. The FBI is already investing $1 billion to build a new outpost in the Huntsville area, spanning nearly 1,600 acres and necessitating the construction of six buildings. These massive projects will greatly reshape the Huntsville area, as roadways and other infrastructure will be adapted to support these new endeavors.
Long-Term Infrastructure Projects
Large-scale transportation construction projects in the Huntsville area will begin in the near future. The area of most immediate interest is that spanning west from Downtown Huntsville toward the Morgan and Limestone County lines—particularly from 565 North to Hwy 72. Historically, the Huntsville area has been rural farmland with two-lane infrastructure supporting it. With the arrival of the new Toyota Mazda plant and the upcoming FBI and Space Command bases, the area is preparing for rapid population growth.
Several large-scale infrastructure projects are in the works to help the area accommodate this influx. Inevitably, Alabama property owners in Madison and Limestone counties will face eminent domain and condemnation issues, so it’s important to reach out to a knowledgeable attorney to understand your options and your rights.
If you’re facing a condemnation or eminent domain matter in Limestone or Madison County, contact Sewell Sewell Beard LLC at (205) 544-2350 today to speak with a knowledgeable Alabama attorney.
No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services to be performed by other lawyers.
