With the development of the new St. Vincent’s St. Clair Hospital and veterans administration nursing home underway, concerns about an increase in traffic near to the hospital continue to arise.

To address the challenges of increased traffic flow, the St. Clair County Commission approved an impact study to evaluate traffic flow. The study will help determine what kind of work needs to be done to reduce traffic congestion and keep drivers safe.

“The study will help in figuring out how many vehicles are going to be generated in and around the hospital and the VA,” County Engineer, Dan Dahlke said.

Skipper Engineering will conduct the study.  Dahlke said he expects quotes on the project to be in by Wednesday.  Paving is expected to begin on Oct. 28 and be completed by the beginning of December.  The cost of the impact study is $11,800.

“The study will evaluate everything and look at the most cost-effective alternatives,” Dahlke said.

Once the impact study is complete, officials will use the information in making plans to ease traffic congestion.

In other actions:

 — The commission approved payment of the $2.6 million invoice from Coosa Valley Water Supply District per the development agreement of the water facility, to be paid out of the 2008 general obligation water fund.

— Payment to the Healthcare Authority in the amount of $1.78million per hospital development agreement and send an official request to the Healthcare Authority to pay remaining hospital work site expenses from authority funds and reconcile with the county at a later date was approved by the commission.

— The county has agreed to loan up to $120,000 to the Industrial Development Board to purchase property for future development.  The loan will be repaid pending the sell of the property.

— Goodgame Company was awarded the pubic works bid in the amount of $70,315 for making repairs to the courthouse roof in Pell City caused by storm damage.

— The commission authorized that payment of conference registration fees now be made with the county credit card, effective Oct. 1, 2011.

— The implementation of tobacco tax will be postponed until Jan. 1, 2013.

— The commission approved the reappointment of Lance Bell and Wesley McHugh to the Healthcare authority.