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St. Clair County approves 411 planning grant application, mitigation‑credit purchase and utility permit
Summary
County commissioners approved applying for a $5 million planning grant for the US‑411 corridor with a required local match, purchased mitigation credits for a turn‑lane project ($64,790), authorized surplus equipment for auction (guaranteed $132,000), and approved a permit for Alabama Power to install poles that will require single‑lane closures.
The St. Clair County Commission approved multiple transportation and infrastructure actions, including moving forward on a BUILD planning grant application for the US‑411 corridor, buying required mitigation credits for a turn‑lane project, and authorizing a utility permit that will require lane closures.
Dan, the county engineer, told commissioners the BUILD planning phase would focus on a corridor stretching from Moody Crossroads/Park Avenue to the S Road intersection and that the planning segment budget was about $5 million; the county would need a 10% local match. Dan said Moody's has agreed to contribute $250,000 (5% of the planning budget) and the county retains the option to raise its match to as much as $300,000 if needed. Commissioners approved applying for the grant and authorized required federal certification forms and signatures.
On a separate motion, commissioners approved an agreement with Westerville Ecological Services to purchase mitigation credits for the Sy Road and S‑411 turn‑lane project at a total cost of $64,790. Dan introduced the item and the commission voted to approve the purchase.
The commission also moved to place several pieces of surplus heavy equipment into a Janewood Auction Company sale scheduled for March 17–21. Staff said the auction company guaranteed a gross amount of $132,000 for the equipment. Commissioners approved sending the equipment to auction.
Dan said Alabama Power requested a permit to install new poles on S‑411 that will require single‑lane closures for crane set‑up and takedown; staff stated the company planned work at roughly 16 locations and estimated closures could last up to six hours per site. Commissioners approved issuing a permit and scheduled a follow‑up meeting with Alabama Power for site reviews.
Other consent items approved in voice votes included a University of Alabama resident housing contract ($18,900), ratification of support letters for the US‑411 grant application and a variety of routine contract and budget items.
Quotes from the meeting: Dan, the county engineer, described the mitigation purchase and grant: "The total cost of that is going to be $64,790. We need to approve that." On the planning grant he said, "The budget number that we have right now is basically 5 million for this."
What happens next: County staff will complete federal forms for the BUILD grant application and coordinate the local match; staff will also meet Alabama Power on site next Wednesday to finalize pole locations and traffic‑control plans.
