HALE COUNTY – Hale County officials received word this week that the county has been awarded a $400,000 grant to surface seven dirt roads in unincorporated areas around the county.

“It will benefit a lot of people,” said Hale County Commission Chairman Leland Avery. Emergency vehicles, school buses and more than 150 residents travel on the roads each day.

The Community Development Block Grant will be used to grade, base and pave portions of Killdeer Road, Bellflower Lane, Hawk Drive, Gabriel Creek Road, Lula Lamb Road, Jackson Road and Dry Creek Road.

Construction will be begin in April or May and will continue through September.

Gov. Bob Riley awarded the grant from funds provided to the state by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.