Shiloh, Ala. — After more than six months of waiting, the residents of Shiloh are growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of updates on a critical flooding mitigation project that was promised to alleviate long-standing issues in their community. In October of the previous year, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reached a binding agreement for the project, which was intended to address flooding problems by creating drainage systems and regrading detention basins. However, despite promises of progress, residents say they have heard nothing from state or federal agencies for over half a year.
The agreement stipulated that the state would submit a progress report detailing the implementation of the required actions every 180 days. However, according to local residents, the only communication they’ve received has been minimal, leaving most of the community in the dark.
“I believe there is only one person who was contacted, but everybody else has not heard a word,” said Pastor Timothy Williams, a vocal advocate for the community. “Now it’s frustrating because people are dealing with false hope and promises. They were told that something was going to be done, but now they’ve been left waiting.”
The project outlined in the agreement involves actions such as creating a drainage ditch south of the community, regrading a detention basin, and expanding existing drainage systems to manage water runoff more effectively. However, after months of anticipation, residents say they are still unsure of what will happen next.
“It’s been 180 days, and we still haven’t heard anything from ALDOT. The community is left wondering when this will finally be addressed. They can’t just come up and say, ‘We’re going with this plan,’ without explaining anything,” Williams told WDHN News. “The community deserves a meeting to explain what’s going to happen.”
The frustration among Shiloh residents is compounded by years of waiting. Flooding has been a persistent issue for the community, with many homeowners dealing with water runoff from the nearby highway. For nearly seven years, residents have been paying out of pocket to mitigate the water damage, and now, with the agreement in place, they feel let down by the lack of action.
In an effort to move the process forward, Williams and other residents have sought legal counsel to hold the state and federal agencies accountable. The community has pushed for more immediate action, stating that they can no longer wait and that legal intervention may be necessary to ensure the promised work is completed.
“The only thing they’re saying is that they’re ‘trying’ to meet the 180-day deadline, but we know when they say ‘we’re trying,’ that means they’re not really dealing with it,” Williams said. “Now we’ve brought in legal help, and hopefully that will push them to finally get something done.”
According to Williams, regardless of which flooding mitigation project is chosen, it was promised that the work would be completed within a year. However, with the constant delays, the residents are questioning the reliability of the timeline. They are growing tired of worrying about flooding while also footing the bill for repairs.
For now, the community is left waiting for answers and action. The legal team’s involvement signals a growing sense of urgency in Shiloh, and residents are hoping that this added pressure will finally compel the state and federal agencies to make good on their promises. The Shiloh community, long hopeful for a resolution, is now demanding transparency and swift action to address the flooding that has plagued them for years.
As of now, it remains unclear when the promised flooding mitigation project will begin or if the community will receive the updates they were promised. However, with legal action now in play, Shiloh residents are determined to hold the authorities accountable and ensure that their voices are heard.
