Words and Images Special to The Walker Leader
Walker County District 2 Commissioner Jeff Burrough recently provided a promising update on the ongoing bridge replacement project on Smith’s Chapel Road over Mill Creek, located east of Carbon Hill.
Work commenced in April 2023. With an estimated cost of $1.78 Million, Russellville-based Riley Bridge Company, Inc. has been entrusted with the construction. Significant progress has been made, with two decks poured, and dirt work completed on both sides of the bridge. The scope of the project extends beyond the bridge itself, encompassing surface treatment for approximately 735 feet of roadway. Project completion is estimated for spring 2024.
The project’s origins trace back to 2014 when the state mandated the closure of the existing bridge, citing safety concerns. While administration in that year, including District 2 Commissioner Dan Wright, approved the replacement project, insufficient funding delayed its immediate initiation.
“When I took office in 2016, one of my main goals was to secure funding and get this project underway,” says Burrough. “This has been needed for a long time, and I’m excited that this administration was able to allocate the funding and bid out the project to start construction. That’s a big achievement that I’m proud to have been able to make happen during my term, and I thank my fellow commissioners, Keith Davis, Jim Borden, Steven Aderholt, and chairman Steve Miller for their support.” WL
