‘Project will make travelling safer’

It will be 2018 before work is completed on the estimated $13.6 million bridge project in Riverview.

Alabama Department of Transportation project manager John Curry said Monday that the June 20 date is subject to a number of contingencies, but most importantly weather.

“Like the round that came through this weekend, rain plays a big part in construction and its progress,” Curry said. “Work would have been farther along than it is now if the river hadn’t flooded last year, and again a few weeks ago. Now, the river is up again, and crews can’t work.”

Curry said the contractor is currently finishing the 1,850-foot bridge substructure on the north side of the river while also setting girders for the bridge deck on the south side of river.

“You should soon see crews on work platforms in the river, which will allow them to set cranes on both sides for the work,” Curry said.

Curry said the two-lane bridge will be widened and include a safety lane on both sides of travel.

“This project is about making travel safer for all motorists,” he said. “The current bridge, if someone breaks down, there is no place to go, which causes traffic issues. This project will install safety lanes on both sides, making this bridge a whole lot safer for the traveling public.”