ALDOT in final stages of Blue Gurth Swamp bridge replacements
Published 9:59 am Saturday, November 2, 2024
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The Alabama Department of Transportation is in the final stages of replacing two bridges through the Blue Gurth Swamp on Alabama 14, just outside of Selma near Brantley.
The Selma Times-Journal was allowed to view the bridges on Friday, and both bridges have been constructed. Guard rails still need to be installed along the route. Paving is already underway and should be completed for ALDOT to open the bridge for operation by Thanksgiving.
Mayor David Wayne Labbe said he looks at the area leading up to the bridge as a border to the Valley Grande city limits, stretching its way to Alabama 14.
“The people in the Valley Grande area work over in the Prattville area and they work up at the mill,” Labbe said. “Taking their alternate routes has really been inconvenient.”
Labbe said with the bridge opening up nearing Thanksgiving, it would be surely welcomed.
“It’s like anything else,” said Labbe. “When you have things that are new and things that are improved, sometimes it’s inconvenient until you get there.”
Alabama 14 has been closed since February, as residents have been forced to detour using Alabama 140 during the bridge replacement process.
The $3.4 million project was awarded to Murphee Bridge Corporation out of Troy, who had the lowest bid that met the project requirements. The project’s completion date was originally spring of 2025, but the project looks like it will be completed ahead of schedule.
Labbe said from his own experience, he noticed the bridge was narrow and that he knew of several accidents that took place on the road heading to the bridge before ALDOT got in and started redoing the bridge.
Labbe with the updated news of the bridge, it’s something to look forward to and he believes the residents will be glad to know that it’s back in use and safe to travel upon soon enough.
For real time traffic updates and more, download the ALGOTraffic app on your phone or visit ALGOTraffic.com.
