State Troopers today will begin patrolling a 12-mile two-lane stretch of U.S. 98 as part of a one-week campaign to address complaints of congestion, speeding and reckless driving.

The Alabama Department of Transportation asked for the patrol after the U.S. 98 Community Outreach Group — a nine-member group of local residents assembled shortly after construction on the new U.S. 98 began — met with agency officials Monday to express concern about traffic violations.

There have been more than 2,000 crashes on U.S. 98 since 1995, according to transportation department records. In those wrecks, 1,038 people were injured and 50 were killed.

Tony Harris, an ALDOT spokesman, said the campaign will provide a "visible presence" on the roadway from the Mississippi line to Snow Road.

Harris said that after a similar weeklong campaign in April on U.S. 43 in Creola, troopers wrote 103 speeding tickets and 114 other traffic citations.

"Enforcement is not the be-all, end-all for ending serious crashes," Harris said. "But some of what we've been able to accomplish with these type of patrols is impressive."

State Troopers spokesman Cpl. Steve Smith said two troopers at a time will patrol U.S. 98 during 10-hour shifts.

Signs will be placed on either end of the 12-mile stretch to "alert drivers to expect strict enforcement of traffic laws," Harris said.