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Commission approves mitigation credits and advances 411 Corridor planning; Alabama Power permit cleared for initial poles
Summary
St. Clair County approved a $64,790 mitigation-credit purchase tied to Sandy Road work, authorized surplus equipment auction terms, and advanced planning for the 411 Corridor with a requested 10% local match (county share initially $250,000, option to increase up to $300,000). Commissioners also approved a permit allowing Alabama Power to install poles that require short, single-lane closures.
The commission approved multiple infrastructure items during routine business, including a mitigation-credit purchase for a Sandy Road project, approval of equipment auction terms, and movement on a multi-phase planning grant for the 411 Corridor.
Staff reported an agreement with Westerville Ecological Services to purchase mitigation credits for $64,790 to satisfy permit conditions for Sandy Road turn-lane work; the commission approved the purchase by voice vote.
County staff also recommended using Jane Wood Auction Company to sell surplus road equipment in a March auction, with the company guaranteeing gross proceeds of $132,000; commissioners approved that contract as presented.
On the 411 Corridor — a planning initiative stretching from Moody Crossroads to the Route 40 intersection — staff said the planning budget is roughly $5,000,000 and that a 10% local match is required. Moody's has pledged $250,000 toward the match (5%), and staff sought authority to increase the county match up to $300,000 if additional items are required. Commissioners approved moving forward with the planning grant and providing the necessary match authority.
Commissioners and staff clarified cost estimates during discussion: one commissioner contrasted a planning-only estimate (around $9–10 million) with a broader estimate for construction in the $90–120 million range, while staff emphasized phased planning and realistic grant limits.
Separately, the commission approved a permit request from Alabama Power to install new distribution poles along Sandy Road; the approved permit allows pole placement that requires single-lane closures (up to six hours for crane set-up on some days) and directs continued coordination on additional sites.
Next steps: staff will execute the mitigation agreement, proceed with the auction schedule, finalize federal application forms, and continue phase-one planning work on the 411 Corridor.
