,I went back and read my post again. I could not find the statement " is worried about a speed trap" as you stated. The thing is they are looking to make money in an area where outside of town the speed limit is too low. Looking for drunks, unlicensed and uninsured motorists is not the priority, only a secondary benefit.
Yes there are more communities south of the river but there are also 3 to 5 well build roads already there to serve a population that is less than Florence plus Lauderdale county. I would think a road would be built where there is the most traffic not people.