Concerned citizens in both Shelby and Jefferson counties have until Friday, Feb. 9 to send in comments about the proposed elevated highway along U.S. 280.

Following public meetings earlier this month, Figg Engineering and members of the Progress 280 task force continue to ask residents for their input.

Greg Guthrie, a resident of north Shelby County, said he likes the concept and plans to voice his opinion. &8220;Something has to be done,&8221; Guthrie said. &8220;I lived in Atlanta for 10 years, and I&8217;ve seen how bad it can get.&8221;

Brian Davis, an engineer with the Alabama Department of Transportation, said his department has looked at several solutions to fix the area&8217;s traffic woes in the past but said most plans failed due to a lack of community support. &8220;In 2003, we looked at a similar concept involving urban interchange. The community said no,&8221; Davis said. &8220;At that point interested parties went to Linda Figg to look at what she has done in Tampa and see if that would work here and if a consensus could be built in this community. That is where we are.&8221;

If residents were not able to attend the public comment meetings held Jan. 22-23, they can voice opinions by sending them via e-mail to mailto:us280@figgbridge.com.