Yellowhammer Times

A typical day in the Carrollton District of the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is unpredictable, with changing weather and unexpected incidents like crashes or urgent repairs. Jonathan Anderson, who has been the District Administrator since 2011, oversees 50 employees responsible for maintaining state roadways across Pickens County and northern Greene County. "Most days are very busy," Anderson said. "It seems chaotic at times because priorities can change at the last minute, but we just have to roll with it as it comes."

The district's team includes roadway workers, rest area staff, project office employees, mechanics, engineers, clerical workers, and an assistant administrator. Their tasks range from asphalt patching to traffic control and sign installation. The Greene County rest areas operate around the clock with staff working nights, weekends, and holidays. "They have a real heart for public service," Anderson commented.

Anderson highlighted the family-like atmosphere within the district. "All of our employees either live in the district or have family that does," he noted. This personal connection drives a strong culture of care among crew members who often flag issues off duty and follow up on incidents they encounter. "One of our guys recently checked on a woman who’d been injured in an accident, on his own time," Anderson shared.

Despite many maintenance crew members being relatively new to their roles, they manage most tasks internally except for guardrail repair which is contracted out. Anderson expressed high expectations for his crews: "They know we’ll never finish our to-do list, but they show up every day ready for work."

Resurfacing projects are approached by addressing root causes of damage rather than merely laying new asphalt. This involves extending pipes and culverts and stabilizing roadbeds with lime columns to ensure long-term road quality and cost savings on future maintenance.

The district's expertise extends to interstate repairs as well; findings from bridge deck repairs along I-20/59 were shared to aid future construction projects. "They sincerely care about public safety and put themselves on the line day in and day out," Anderson said.

Collaboration is key in both fieldwork and office tasks, leading to a shared sense of pride upon job completion. "I can say with 100 percent certainty that the work our crew does reflects good work ethic and moral character," Anderson concluded.

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