The City of Aliceville has received a $346,000 grant to improve its water infrastructure, a project aimed at providing residents with safer and more reliable water service.
The funding, awarded through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), will be used to replace approximately 700 feet of aging water line along Broad Street, from Memorial Parkway to Third Avenue Northwest. The corridor is one of the city’s most heavily traveled areas.
According to state officials, some of Aliceville’s water lines date back to before the city served as a camp for German prisoners of war during World War II in the early 1940s. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said the upgrades are long overdue and will complement other planned improvements.
“The combination of new water infrastructure along with new pavement from the Rebuild Alabama program will be a major improvement to Broad Street that will make residents proud,” Ivey said.
City leaders said replacing the aging 6-inch metal water line before the roadway is repaved is critical. Officials expressed concern that failing to address the issue now could result in pipe breaks during or after resurfacing, leading to more extensive and costly repairs.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) administers the ARC program within the state. ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said the project will benefit more than 2,000 Aliceville residents, as well as several local businesses and facilities, including the Aliceville Federal Correctional Institution.
Gov. Ivey notified Aliceville Mayor Terrence Windham of the grant award. Pickens County is among the 37 Alabama counties eligible for ARC funding.
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