Upgrades unveiled at 3 west Alabama boat launches

TUSCALOOSA COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) - Officials believe recently completed upgrades at boat launches in west Alabama will make it safer and easier for boaters to us.

Local and state leaders recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the projects, which pooled resources across jurisdictions to address long-standing access and safety issues.

Changes and upgrades happened at three access points along the Black Warrior River.

Crews in Tuscaloosa County fixed drainage problems and repaved the parking lot at Foster’s Ferry.

Moundville’s public boat launch was reoriented to give boats an easier way in and out of the water.

Upgrades at Riverview Landing, meanwhile, include a new launching slab, access pier and more.

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship highlighted how the changes protect boaters and their equipment.

“For one, you have good, safe parking. You’ve got a good ramp where you can launch and not worry about tearing up your trailer,” Blankenship said. “You’ve got this access pier to tie your boat to while you move your truck and trailer, but then you’ve got a secure parking area with very well-delineated parking spaces that maximizes the number of trucks and trailers here.”

According to Blankenship, the state has invested more than $60 million over the past decade to upgrade boat ramp infrastructure statewide.

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