Commission backs letter to help Alderson seek grant for Alderson Memorial Bridge repairs

The Greenbrier County Commission voted to approve a letter supporting the Town of Alderson's application for a Transportation Alternatives Program grant to design and prepare bid specifications for repairs to the Alderson Memorial Bridge.

Travis, a town representative, told the commission that recent inspections revealed serious deterioration: "60 pound chunks of concrete fell off the bridge," he said, describing hammer-testing and engineering follow-up that led to a recommendation the bridge not carry heavy emergency vehicles and to pursue outside funding for structural repairs. He said the town has about $100,000 available in a bridge trust for matching funds and is not asking the county for match at this time—only a letter of support to make the grant application more competitive.

S5 read the county's draft letter of support, highlighting the bridge's listing on the National Register of Historic Places, its role connecting the two sides of Alderson for pedestrian access to local businesses and services, and the bridge's function as an emergency passage and element of the town's alternate water plan. The commission approved sending the letter by voice vote.

The county's endorsement is intended to help the town secure design and bid-ready documents that may be required before major repair work can proceed. Travis said the bridge also may qualify for historic funding avenues and that the town is pursuing multiple funding sources, including FEMA, to preserve and stabilize the structure.

Next steps: the town will use the letter in its Transportation Alternatives grant application and continue design-level testing and coordination with state and federal partners.