This bridge on Talladega County Road 207 will be replaced, but a date to begin construction has not been announced.
The commission agreed to meet the 20 percent matching requirement for funding of several bridge and highway projects through the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program.
The first project to receive funding is the replacement of a bridge on Talladega County 207, known as the bridge over Choccolocco Creek.
The commission will contribute $903,180 in their 20 percent matching funds for the project that will cost a total of $4,515,900.
“For several years it’s been a hot topic to get that bridge replaced,” said District 2 Commissioner John Luker.
“The county’s been looking for the money to do it. With them implementing that program (ATRIP), it was a fantastic opportunity for the county to do that. I want to commend our engineering department for having the plans in place.”
Luker said that the county turned in plans for that project in late March and was ecstatic to have it approved.
The bridge had been in bad shape for a long time.
“There are cross members that are completely eroded,” Luker said. “There’s so much metal corrosion under the bridge.
“With the ATRIP funds, we now have an opportunity to completely rebuild the bridge.”
In addition to the bridge being rebuilt, the gas line and water line that were once on the bridge will now be located underneath the creek.
“That’s a hazard that’s always been there,” Luker said. “This will give us an opportunity to remove that hazard from the bridge.”
According to County Engineer Wayne Hall, the $4,515,900 price tag for the project will have to be reviewed again, and is merely an estimate being that discussions and plans have been underway for close to five years.
A date for the bridge’s construction has not been set yet, however the bidding process for the project will likely begin around December.
Contact Aziza Jackson at ajackson@dailyhome.com.
