Fort Payne, Alabama is dealing with a hazardous turn on Highway 35, famously called "Joe's Truck Stop," where truck accidents have occurred for over six decades.
What's happening: The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is studying options to fix this risky spot. The most recent accident happened on April 7, leaving more discussions underway for a permanent solution.
The background: The sharp curve has been tricky for drivers for years. Trucks have toppled over trying to make the 90-degree turn, leading to multiple crashes.
- Robert Faulkner, whose family installed a protective wall known as "Joe's Truck Stop," said trucks carrying everything from logs to livestock have wrecked there.
- Mayor Brian Baine noted that speeding makes it hard for trucks to manage the steep turn safely.
The plan: ALDOT proposes a truck arrestor bed to prevent damage and is considering an overpass. The feasibility study could take up to a year and a half, using $1 million in funds from Congressman Aderholt's office, reported WAFF.
Looking forward: The results will inform Fort Payne leaders on the best way to reroute trucks and improve safety at this long-standing trouble spot.