Commission approves ALDOT agreement for East Limestone/Capshaw roundabout; applies for road‑safety grant and updates patching schedule

Limestone County commissioners on July 21 approved a consolidated agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) to fund intersection modifications at East Limestone Road and Capshaw Road and move the long‑planned roundabout forward. Commissioners also approved grant applications, including a National Historical Publications and Records Commission archives grant (no county match) and a Local Road Safety Initiative (LRSI) application administered through ALDOT that would carry a 10% county match not to exceed $50,000.

The ALDOT agreement was described at the meeting as a modification that consolidates prior segmented funding agreements into a single, clearer timetable and funding structure. County staff said the goal is to begin construction during the summer following school dismissal and to progress toward lane closures once ready; the project timeline was described as moving toward active construction but no firm completion date was given at the meeting.

Commissioners approved the LRSI application with a requested 10% match cap (not to exceed $50,000). County staff and Commissioner Derek said the LRSI money is likely to fund smaller geometric or safety improvements — for example, enhanced striping, rumble strips or signage — rather than large roadway redesigns, because the available grant amount typically does not cover major reconstruction. "We don't know exactly what this is gonna be," a commissioner said during discussion; staff explained the match request is to preserve eligibility for the largest available grant amount.

County Engineer Mark Bassett updated commissioners on current construction activities: contractors expected to finish Gatlin Road shoulder work and move to Love Branch/Love Branch Road patching operations by the end of the week, with resurfacing work to continue into the following week. Bassett said crews will perform patching and then full resurfacing operations as scheduled.

Other routine items approved included authorization to enter an ALDOT agreement that provides transportation assistance funding for the county’s COA vans and an award of a bid to Donahue Chevrolet for a six‑passenger vehicle for the sheriff’s office at $49,900. Commissioners raised no objections to those items at the meeting.

Distinguishing discussion from decision: the roundabout agreement and grant applications were approved during the work session after commissioners voiced no objections; the engineer’s timetable was presented as a status update and not a formal action item. The LRSI application was described as a means to secure design or modest safety measures; if a larger geometric project were needed, additional funding sources would be required.

Less critical details: commissioners also approved to apply for a $150,000 archives grant through the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (no county match), and staff noted that more significant redesigns (for example adding turn lanes) would require larger grants or funding sources beyond the LRSI scope.