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Wilson Dam Road to get new name soon
By Russ Corey
Staff Writer
TimesDaily file art
State Sen. Bobby Denton

Former state Sen. Bobby Denton said some friends joked that if the highway department ever completed all the improvements to Wilson Dam Road, they should name it after him.

Denton said some of his colleagues in Montgomery sometimes referred to it as that “**** Bobby Denton Road” because of the way Denton constantly fought to secure funding for the ongoing widening project.

Jokes have been put aside, and Denton’s former colleagues have made sure the roadway will forever be connected to him.

Through the work of the Shoals legislative delegation, Wilson Dam Road will soon be known as The Bobby Denton Parkway.

The dedication was accomplished through a bill introduced by Sen. Tammy Irons, D-Florence, and approved by members of the Shoals legislative delegation.

“The local delegation and others wanted to honor Sen. Denton for all his years of public service,” Irons said. “So many people wanted to honor him in some form or fashion.”

The section of highway dedicated to Denton includes Wilson Dam Road from Alabama 20 in Muscle Shoals, across the Singing River Bridge and north to the point where the bridge corridor intersects with Florence Boulevard.

The bill requests the Alabama Department of Transportation erect and maintain signs identifying portions of those roads as honoring the longest-serving state senator.

Denton served 32 years in the Senate before deciding not to seek reelection in 2010.

Irons said Denton was instrumental in promoting the project that led to the widening of Wilson Dam Road, a project that has stalled in recent years but has attracted the attention of Highway Director John Cooper.

Denton served on the Joint Legislative Transportation Committee for many years.

“Each time the project stalled, Sen. Denton was always on the phone arranging meetings with the governor and highway director in an effort to move the project forward,” Irons said. “The state and the Shoals have bene****ed greatly from his service on such a powerful committee over the years.”

Denton also was instrumental in convincing the Alabama Department of Transportation to officially name the Patton Island Bridge, which connects Muscle Shoals to Florence via Wilson Dam Road, the Singing River Bridge in honor of Native Americans.

“The senator’s service to this area merits some recognition,” state Rep. Marcel Black, D-Tuscumbia, said. “He’s had so many accomplishments.”

Denton said he’s honored and humbled by the delegation’s actions.

“It’s very humbling to think that a road in my community would bear my name,” Denton said. “It’s indescribable for me and my family.”

Denton said Irons approached him about introducing the bill and asked him if he objected.

“I never sought to have anything like that done for me, but I appreciate it,” Denton said.

Irons said two signs have been erected along the designated route but remain covered. She said a dedication ceremony would be scheduled for a later date, possibly sometime in mid October.

A joint resolution was passed in March 2010 and signed by then Gov. Bob Riley in April 2010. The highway designation then had to be approved by the Transportation Department.

Russ Corey can be reached at 256-740-5738 or russ.corey@TimesDaily.com.

This really sucks.  He is the one that pushed for the bridge to be called the singing river bridge or what ever that only 2 people wanted that name.  Sure would have been nice if tammy had informed the public about this before hand, but then I thnk people would have raised so much of a fuss that it would have been dropped.  Tammy, we will all remember this behind the scene politics at your next election.  Why wasn't the new name stopped at the south side of the bridge and leave the Florence side with the name of Helton.  I don't think sir denton did too good of a job on the road since it stalled out to a two lane on his side of the river.  This butt kissing by the politictions to each other has got to stop.

1. This will not affect the older part of Wilson Dam Road in Florence (adjacent to Lakeside Highlands).

 

2. At one time, it was illegal to name any public structure after a living person. George Wallace managed to change that law to benefit his ego and that of his cronies. It's an iffy practice--just look at the old Coffee High School gym.

Originally Posted by yellowdogdemocrat:

I think its a wonderful idea to honor Senator Bobby Denton. He is a fine gentleman and has always been a true friend and supporter of this area. BTW, I'm glad it was renamed while he is alive! 


__________________

 

FTR, I don't think Sen. Denton will be having a mistress and then slapping her like a certain college basketball coach, but it is a good reason not to name things for those who are still living. After looking at the article again, I agree with Info that it's not a real re-naming, but a dual naming like UNA Highway. Congrats, Bobby!

Originally Posted by rum_mama:

I call it the road to the bridge to nowhere.

Ahem - the 'six lane bridge to nowhere' is the proper title.   I used to call it that when it dead ended on one end and became a two lane on the other (still does).  Now I realize that it really doesnt go anywhere, so the name still applies

 

Tie it in to a toll road to the beach and then I might have some use for it!

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