Bumpy Ride For Dirt Road Bill

The Mobile County Dirt Road Bill is just one step away from being law.

The bill is designed to make it legal for the county to do basic maintenance on some private dirt roads. Thousands of families live on roads deemed private by the county but they are in such bad shape, they can't even get ambulance or school bus service.

Both the Alabama House and Senate voted in favor of the bill but late Tuesday, Governor Bob Riley vetoed it. The house has already overridden the veto and we're waiting to hear how the senate votes.

Thousands of people living on dirt roads are hoping the bill will pass. It was introduced by State Representative Spencer Collier. He says the county would decide which roads get maintenance and it would require work from property owners too. "It will set up a process where they have a remedy but a lot of the burden will fall to homeowners and property owners to collect the proper number of signatures. They have to be willing to give up the right of way and fill out the proper paperwork."

Liz Waite lives on Grand Farms Road West and says she doesn't care what it takes, they need the help. "I can't see anybody that would resist donating whatever amount of land needed or buying a culvert to get the road at least graded."

The voting on the Dirt Road Bill must be done by Midnight. We'll let you know what happens.