1 HB535
2 210512-1
3 By Representative Hurst
4 RFD: Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure
5 First Read: 11-MAR-21
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1 210512-1:n:02/19/2021:FC/ma LSA2021-347
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8 SYNOPSIS: This bill would make legislative findings
9 concerning Cheaha Road in Talladega, Clay, and
10 Cleburne Counties as a scenic highway to Cheaha
11 State Park and would provide that Cheaha Road would
12 be transferred to the jurisdiction and control of
13 the State Department of Transportation and
14 designated as a state scenic highway.
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16 A BILL
17 TO BE ENTITLED
18 AN ACT
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20 Relating to Cheaha Road in Talladega, Clay, and
21 Cleburne Counties; to make legislative findings; and to
22 provide that Cheaha Road would be transferred to the
23 jurisdiction and control of the State Department of
24 Transportation as a state scenic highway.
25 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
26 Section 1. The Legislature finds that Cheaha State
27 Park is the oldest continuously operating state park in this
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1 state, having been first opened in 1933. Cheaha Mountain, the
2 highest point in Alabama at 2,407 feet above sea level, is the
3 centerpiece of the park. Cheaha State Park is an important
4 tourist destination in this state. Cheaha State Park may only
5 be reached directly from the west by the road known as "Cheaha
6 Road," commencing as Talladega County Road 96 where it
7 intersects McElderry Road and later merges with County Road
8 42. The road then traverses through a part of Clay County into
9 Cleburne County, back into Clay County, then back into
10 Cleburne County; and finally arriving at Cheaha State Park and
11 continuing to its intersection with State Highway 281. The
12 Legislature further finds that Cheaha Road has not been
13 appropriately maintained as a safe and scenic route to Cheaha
14 State Park.
15 Section 2. Effective beginning with the fiscal year
16 commencing on October 1, 2021, Cheaha Road, as set out in
17 Section 1, shall be under the jurisdiction and control of the
18 State Department of Transportation, and shall be designated as
19 a state scenic highway. The department shall have all powers
20 necessary to design, build, construct, repair, maintain, and
21 regulate Cheaha Road as a state highway.
22 Section 3. This act shall become effective
23 immediately following its passage and approval by the
24 Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.
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