A Shelby County Public Works committee on Oct. 1 recommended approving a contract and related grant funding for the rehabilitation of the Collierville-Arlington Road overflow bridge. The measure advances to the full Commission with a favorable recommendation.

The committee considered a resolution authorizing a contract with Bell and Associates Construction LLC described in the agenda text as “in the amount of $2,000,798.90 and an extra work allowance in the amount of $200,000 for a total amount of $2,000,998.90,” together with a grant agreement from the Tennessee Department of Transportation and required appropriations for FY2026. "This item requires the appropriation of FY 2026 state aid grant funds in the amount of $2,938,128.20 and roads and bridges state gas tax funds in the amount of $59,961.80 for a total appropriation of $2,998,009.90," the resolution text said.

Jim Crook, project engineer with the Shelby County Engineering Department, told the committee the project will rehabilitate the overflow bridge and that the structure will remain open to traffic throughout construction. "We will have to install temporary traffic signals at each end of the bridge to alternate direction to allow the contractor access to each side of the bridge. The traffic signals will be in use during construction hours. At the end of the workday, the bridge will be open to traffic. Construction will take approximately 12 months to complete," Crook said.

Crook said purchasing rebid the work after no bids were received the first time; Bell Construction (headquartered in Nashville with a local Memphis field office) submitted the lone bid. He said TDOT reviewed the bid and concurred with the award, and that TDOT will cost-share the project at a stated ratio of 98% state and 2% local. County staff told the committee the county share will be paid from State Gas Tax funds.

Commissioner David C. Bradford Jr. sponsored the item and moved it forward. The committee recorded aye votes from Commissioners Bradford and Mills and an abstention from Commissioner Brooks; the item was approved by the committee and sent forward with a favorable recommendation.

No citizen or outside stakeholder testimony was offered during the committee discussion. The committee did not make design or scheduling changes; it advanced the contract award, associated appropriations and the grant agreement as presented.

County staff will return the item to the full Commission for final approval and for appropriation of the requested FY2026 funds. Staff indicated construction will be managed to keep the bridge open to traffic outside construction hours.