Could one road project change the future of Alabama’s black belt? Updated on Mar 15, 2021; Published on Mar 14, 2021 Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said during her 2021 "State of the State" address that the state will "turn the shovel" on a four-lane U.S. 43 through Alabama's Black Belt region including Linden. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com). Twitter Share The nearest grocery store to Janice Dunning is in Thomasville, about a 10-mile drive along a narrow and winding and sometimes dangerous two-lane U.S. 43 from her Dixon Mills home. The nearest drive to her beloved Arby’s for a roast beef sandwich is about an hour.