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Bridge project moving

By Mark Harrison
The Times-Journal

Published February 9, 2005

Plans to replace two bridges on Alabama Highway 117 between Mentone and the Alabama-Georgia line have been put on the fast track, according to state officials.

The bridges to be replaced are the Skyline Bridge in Mentone and the Whatley Bridge closer to the Georgia line.

State Sen. Lowell Barron said work on replacement of the two bridges is “now moving at a rapid pace.”

Johnny Harris, a lead engineer with the Alabama Department of Transportation, said ALDOT crews are “working diligently” to complete the field survey for the replacement of the Skyline Bridge near Camp Skyline. He said the design process has yet to begin.

Barron and ALDOT Director Joe McInnes both attended a town meeting in Mentone on Jan. 7 concerning replacement of the two bridges. At that meeting, Barron told McInnes many area residents consider the bridges to be too narrow, out-of-date and dangerous, and pointed out the bridges have been the site of numerous traffic accidents in recent months. At that time, McInnes agreed to inspect the bridges.

The following week, McInnes directed transportation officials to “expedite” replacement of the bridges.

Before the town meeting, replacement of the Whatley Bridge had reached the design and right-of-way acquisition process and the state had planned to accept bids from contractors later this year. The state hadn’t planned to accept bids on the Skyline Bridge until November 2006. However, under McInnes’ directive the state is now working to award bids on the Skyline Bridge project by September 2005.

“This project has been fast tracked,” Harris said. “We would like to have a public meeting by late next month, but that meeting will not be held until all field data is complete.”

Plans call for both bridges to be doubled in size, going from 20 feet wide to 40 feet. ALDOT is also looking at posting speed limits of 35 mph at both bridges, to be indicated by flashing lights that will be active 24 hours a day.

Harris said ALDOT engineers have yet to begin the design process for the bridge replacement projects.

“We haven’t put forth any alternative sites or designs for public comment but we will do so as quickly as possible,” Harris said.

Harris said once the design work and cost estimates on the projects are complete, ALDOT officials will hold a public meeting in Mentone, where all proposed design options will be presented. He said the meeting will be advertised in local newspapers for three weeks before the scheduled date and “will offer all those concerned the opportunity to voice concerns with the proposed designs.”

Barron said simply knowing the bridge replacement projects have been fast-tracked is good news for all who live in Mentone and travel through the area.

“The increased size and number of vehicles traveling Highway 117 today has increased the number of serious traffic accidents on these bridges,” Barron said. “The existing bridges are not wide enough to safely accommodate today’s 18-wheelers, and are certainly a safety concern. I am pleased to see ALDOT is working to correct this dangerous situation and improve the safety of all motorists in the area.”

State officials estimate replacement of the two bridges will cost a total of about $1.9 million.

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