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Commission seeks agreement with Alabama Power before approving pole work that would repeatedly close Sandy Road
Summary
Commissioners voted to withhold permits for extensive pole-setting on Sandy Road until Alabama Power and county staff reach an agreement to protect traffic flow and emergency access, after engineers said crews may need repeated six-hour closures at 21–24 locations.
The St. Clair County Commission agreed to hold off issuing permits for Alabama Power’s planned pole work on Sandy Road until county staff and the utility reach an operational agreement. County Engineer Dan Dahlke told commissioners the current plan shows ‘‘at least 21 poles’’ that, as designed, ‘‘will have the roadway completely shut down…for at least 6 hours’’ while crews set poles.
Commissioner Jeff Brown moved ‘‘that we don't issue permits’’ until an agreement is reached; the motion was seconded and directed staff to negotiate mitigation measures that keep one lane open and reduce pavement damage. Officials discussed building 11-foot shoulders or temporary pads so outriggers and cranes can stage off the travel lane and limit full closures. The commission asked staff to document protections in the minutes and to press Alabama Power on sequencing and potential crew staging to avoid repeated long closures during school-bus and peak travel times.
