The county’s paved road system has earned an “A” from the state department of transportation during its annual grading program.

County Engineer Darren Capps said it took inspectors three days to examine each of the county’s paved roads where state and federal funds were used.

The year, the county earned a ranking of 92.2 percent – which is down slightly from last year’s 92.5 percent.

“All you have to do is ride the roads in counties adjacent to ours and you’d be proud of ours,” Commissioner Carl Turman said.

Chairman Bill Godwin said the county has been fortunate to receive ATRIP funding to improve the county’s high traffic areas, but he hopes additional grants will provide money to do similar projects on smaller roads.

“It looks like the county has progressed through the years, and that’s a good sign,” Godwin said. “In economic development, one of the first things looked at is the infrastructure of the county. Without a good infrastructure, they won’t come.”
Capps said work will begin on the County Road 73 ATRIP project on Friday. That project is part of 11 ATRIP projects totaling $6.15 million for work on 42.3 miles of county roads and bridges.