Benchmark Engineering updates Madison County board on Yandale–Old Canton bridge project

Matthew Miller of Benchmark Engineering gave the Madison County board a quarterly update on the Yandale and Old Canton Road intersection project, saying the work will include two bridges — one on the south side and one on the west side of the intersection — and that design and permitting work are well advanced.

Miller said the project is proceeding as a Local Public Agency (LPA) project under MDOT procedures and that the team has completed a field review and obtained environmental clearance. "We've got an environmental clearance," he said. He told the board designs are approximately 95% complete and that plats and deeds are prepared as the right-of-way (R/W) acquisition process begins.

The project team has identified nine parcels for acquisition. "We've got 9 parcels there to acquire," Miller said, and added that the right-of-way consultants have started the acquisition process; he said he expects to bring offers to the board for approval in about one to two months. Miller noted that utility relocation cannot begin until right-of-way purchases are secured, adding that coordination with utility companies and neighboring projects to the east and west will affect timing.

When asked to show the locations, Miller pointed out the south- and west-side bridge sites and referenced nearby landmarks, saying both structures will be built as part of the same project. On construction length, he estimated, "this is probably a 9 month project," while noting final scheduling depends on contractor sequencing and remaining calculations.

For traffic control, Miller outlined a plan to reroute traffic onto side roads to the south and to close one bridge at a time to maintain movement through the area. "If we do go that route... we will be shutting 1 bridge down at a time," he said, describing coordination needs with contractors and utility relocations.

Miller also updated the board on the Wheatley Street rehabilitation nearby. He said the Wheatley work has been divided into three phases, that crews will begin paving the following day, and that the project is scheduled for completion in early October. He said his goal is to present either a closed-out project or a limited punch list at the next quarterly report.

No formal motions or votes were recorded during this update. Miller closed by inviting questions and the board thanked him for the briefing; no further actions were taken at the meeting.