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Commission approves mitigation‑credit purchase, advances planning for US‑411 corridor grant; Alabama Power pole work cleared to proceed
Summary
St. Clair County commissioners approved a $64,790 purchase of mitigation credits for a turn‑lane project on Sy Road/US‑411, approved related federal forms for a BUILD planning grant (planning budget ~ $5M) and discussed Alabama Power permits for pole installations that will require temporary one‑lane closures.
County engineer Dan updated the St. Clair County Commission on roadwork and major corridor planning and asked the board to approve a mitigation‑credit agreement and required federal paperwork to apply for a BUILD planning grant covering a segment of US‑411 from Park Avenue to Sydney Road.
Dan said the county has received engineering permits for turn lanes and will purchase mitigation credits through Westerville Ecological Services at a cost of $64,790. He asked the commission to approve that cost and the agreement. Commissioners moved, seconded and approved the purchase request.
Dan also described the BUILD planning grant the county is pursuing: a planning budget around $5 million for the corridor’s first phase, with broader construction across the corridor estimated in planning discussions from about $90 million to $120 million. Local partner Moody's has committed $250,000 toward the local match (about 5%); Dan asked for commission approval of a 10% local match with authority to increase the county contribution to up to $300,000 if needed.
Separately, Dan reported Alabama Power has applied for permits to install new poles on Sy Road. The work will require single‑lane closures for crane set‑up and take‑down; the company said individual closures could last up to six hours. The county and Alabama Power plan a follow‑up meeting next Wednesday to resolve site details for about 16 sites; commissioners approved granting the permit subject to those discussions.
What was decided: the commission approved the mitigation‑credit agreement for $64,790, approved moving forward with the BUILD planning grant submittal (including signing required certification forms) and voted to authorize the Alabama Power permit process to proceed with site coordination.
Next steps: county staff will finalize the mitigation agreement, submit federal grant materials, and meet with Alabama Power to confirm site work and minimize traffic impacts.
