Anniston, AL - On Tuesday Governor Bob Riley broke ground on the last phase of the long-awaited Eastern Bypass road in Anniston. For drivers it means faster access to I-20 eliminating as many as thirty stop lights from the route. But the big boost is that the road is a driving force in the region's economy.

To local leaders the Eastern Bypass represents a golden opportunity to development thousands of acres along what's to become a major roadway.

Governor Bob Riley explains, "This really could be one of the biggest economic opportunities for the whole state of Alabama."

Riley pushed the first mound of dirt on the last leg of the Eastern Bypass cutting across Calhoun County.

State Transportation Director Joe McInnes says, "This is the last segment - 2.1 miles - to connect (Highway) 431 to I-20."

That connection creates 7000 acres of land for new development.

Congressman Mike Rogers reminds leaders, "We've also got to look forward to when this road is connected to (Highway) 431 one and McClellan.

Riley says, "With this many acres, this much opportunity there is no reason for East Alabama to not have the same level of economic development you're having in other parts of the state."

But Riley stressed with opportunity comes responsibility. He asks local leaders to come together now, developing new business plans together as a regional force.

Anniston Mayor Gene Robinson says the leadership in the area is up for the challenge. He explains, "We're already meeting. We do a mayor's conference once a quarter. We're already following Governor Riley's guidelines."

MDA Board Member Willie Duncan predicts, "We'll have new businesses coming to the city and it will just make this whole area explode."

The Bypass project moved to the fast lane with a $30 million boost from Obama's stimulus package.

Riley adds, "One of the reasons we were able to do this is because it was quote shovel ready. It's shovel ready because we've been working on it now for fifteen to eighteen years."

The Bypass should be complete in one to two years.

According to Riley without stimulus funding it would have been finished in five to ten years. The total cost for construction is more than $100 million spent over the course of a decade and a half.

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