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Cullman officials announce roughly $34 million for 278 corridor bridge; council accepts $500,000 CDBG for neighborhood work
Summary
Mayor told the Cullman City Council that federal and rural-classified funding totaling about $34 million has been secured for the U.S. 278 corridor bridge and approaches; the council also voted to accept a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant with $288,767.75 in matching funds and approved related administration and engineering contracts.
The Cullman City Council on Feb. 9 accepted a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to fund neighborhood improvements on Logan Street Southwest, 6th Street Southwest and Austin Avenue Southwest and heard Mayor (name listed in minutes as the mayor) announce roughly $34 million in federal and rural funding for the U.S. 278 corridor bridge and approaches.
Mayor (speaker 10) told the council the federal budget included about $13.5 million tied to the 278 corridor bridge and that the project also qualified for rural-classified funds of $20,307,000; he described the two awards together as “almost $34,000,000” for the project and said the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) will assist. The mayor cautioned design is not yet complete and said construction will be disruptive, estimating it could be several years — roughly four, he said — before the new pavement is in place.
The council approved acceptance of the CDBG award and the required matching funds of $288,767.75. According to the council agenda discussion, the CDBG award will fund sewer and street work in the identified neighborhoods. The council voted to contract with Community Consultants to administer the CDBG neighborhood improvement project (resolution 26-71) and with Saint John Associates for engineering services related to that grant (resolution 26-72).
Council members also approved a related resolution (26-70) accepting the grant and authorizing the city’s matching contribution. During the same portion of the meeting the council approved other grant- and contract-related items, including a resolution (26-68) to contract with JMCM Consulting to assist the fire department with grant-writing and administration; the consultant is to be paid a fee only if the grant is awarded.
The mayor’s remarks also referenced prior federal and state grant-seeking efforts and credited staff assistance in preparing applications and liaising with congressional offices. The mayor emphasized the long timeline for design and construction and told attendees the city will coordinate with ALDOT on project details and access changes.
What happens next: The ordinance and contract actions approved at the meeting authorize staff to accept the CDBG award, execute administration and engineering contracts, and begin project planning. The mayor and staff said ALDOT will play a lead role on design for the 278 corridor bridge; no construction schedule was finalized at the meeting.
