County Commission discusses engineering projects and roadwork

Published 11:00 am Monday, May 19, 2014

At last Thursday’s work session and meeting, the St. Clair County Commission discussed many different projects that are underway or planned for the county.

-County Engineer Dan Dahlke began discussion with his report. Dahlke said that the Hazelwood project has not begun. The county is still negotiating with Pell City. Both parties are trying to figure out how to classify the road because it is not in Pell City, and they need to find a way for Pell City to take ownership of the road. Dahlke said that, for now, it could continue to be a county road and maybe transfer over later. The matter will be discussed at the commission’s next work session on May 22. 

– Representatives from Argo’s council, along with Mayor Paul Jennings, were also in attendance for Thursday’s work session to talk to the commission about entering into a partnership with Argo to pay for an engineering project. Jennings spoke to the commission about the Argo City Hall and how it was bombarded the last time an election was held. He also included that the building is not in ADA compliance and the front door is currently not being used because it still needs work. 

Jennings said that a list of the work that needed to be done included: asphalt, drainage work, a canopy and handicap accessibility. And after speaking with Dahlke, Jennings believes that the project can be capped at around $200,000. He asked that the commission split the cost of the project with the city of Argo, with the commission spending no more than $100,000 even if the project ends up costing more than anticipated. The commission did not agree to help with funding but said they would revisit the option after Argo presented them with an exact quote for the project. 

-Citizen Buford Sanders came to speak to the commission about roadwork on Shoal Creek Road. “Last year I was told in a friendly, peaceful way that everything was underway for the paving, and it would be finished in the spring,” said Sanders. He and fellow neighbors were concerned about the shape of their road and the amount of time that has elapsed since it was supposed to be completed. 

The commission said that they were hopeful that part of this road would be covered under ATRIP funds, which means that 80 percent of the money to fix the road would come from the federal government. The bid out for the road was scheduled for June 2015, placing the start in August 2015. Dahlke said that he could shift some projects around though and move Shoal Creek’s start date to November. “But that is the best scenario,” said Dahlke. 

The idea is to move up the Shoal Creek Road project ahead of the Double Bridge project. Dahlke said that he would be meeting soon and could request that it be moved ahead.

Batemon suggested that if the plan falls through, that the county budget it in on their own instead of relying on ATRIP. Commissioner Jeff Brown agreed with this sentiment. “We’ve put it off trying to get it for cheaper,” said Brown. “We’ve got good intentions, though.”