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Residents urge Limestone County to prioritize Liberty Way bridge repairs, oppose Greystone road extension
Summary
At a May 4 work session, Liberty Way residents told Limestone County commissioners the county's long-delayed bridge project should be prioritized, voiced safety concerns about severe erosion on Liberty Way, and objected to a proposed extension of Liverpool Drive through the Greystone subdivision.
Residents of Liberty Way urged the Limestone County Commission on May 4 to prioritize replacement and safety improvements for a bridge and the one-lane gravel road that serve their homes, and to oppose a developer's planned road extension into their neighborhood.
Sherry Clark told the commission she has raised the issues multiple times and said a bridge that was on the commission's 2014 schedule remains unreplaced; she said delays were attributed to protections for an identified snail species and to funding shortfalls. Clark said she and her husband were told Chairman Daly and developer Clint Newton had met about extending Liverpool Drive into Liberty Way and asked, "Does the developer even have the right to negotiate another road out?" She described severe erosion on Liberty Way, a 20-foot drop to an adjacent creek, and safety conditions where "one tire of one vehicle goes off the edge and the vehicle is in the creek." She urged the county to "keep the existing bridge open while building a new one" and to schedule regular maintenance.
Stephen Clark and Walt Christopher echoed safety and access concerns. Stephen Clark said the move would alter the rural lifestyle residents sought and questioned how large vehicles and emergency services would be affected. Christopher asked whether a specific bridge site has been identified, whether land has been purchased or would need to be purchased, and whether a new design could allow the existing bridge to remain in service; he urged purchasing land and coordinating with Fish and Wildlife regarding habitat for the snail species.
County Engineer Mark Massie was reported by a resident as saying county priorities include providing access for Liberty Way residents if the bridge remains out, and that Fish and Wildlife funding might be sought to supply materials while the county would handle installation. Commissioners said staff would follow up and that the matter would be placed on a future meeting agenda for further discussion and public consideration.
Next steps: commissioners agreed to bring a proposal back for public discussion at an upcoming meeting; no final construction decision or formal vote was recorded at the May 4 work session.
