Commission hears update on Trip 2 engineering and potential ALDOT project overruns

Roads staff briefed the commission on multiple projects, including a proposed agreement with GMC Inc. to provide engineering for a Trip 2 project near Coosa Valley Elementary with a local share estimated at $268,000.

"This is something that has to be paid with local funds," the roads staff member said, explaining the county would share local costs with Pell City and that the project’s total local cost was expected to be around $807,000. The staff recommended the commission review and sign the agreement so engineering could proceed.

Staff also told commissioners that contractors on a bridge/culvert project have submitted change orders because the material encountered in the field was poorer than expected and extra riprap and rock are required. The staff estimate for additional costs was "probably around $300,350,000 extra" in the transcript; commissioners discussed that the state only pays its contracted share and that the county would likely be responsible for a 20% share of overruns.

Commissioners said they would pursue available partner funding and noted the MPO had signaled willingness to participate; formal agreements, funding approvals and exact overrun responsibilities will be addressed at forthcoming meetings.