Highway 52 Bridge to Re-open Soon!

John S Keppy

Viewed: 4752

Posted by: JSKeppy
Date: Oct 29 2009 3:48 PM

Houston County Road and Bridge Engineer Mark Pool says that in his opinion, the bridge on Highway 52 will likely open within a couple of weeks. Although Pool is not involved in the project, he can offer an expert opinion as he has been involved directly in many bridge projects, most recently the Brannon Stand Road bridge replacement. That project, under Houston County Road and Bridge supervision, was completed in four months and involved building a temporary bridge while a new four lane bridge was built. Both bridges crossed over creek.

The Highway 52 bridge has faced numerous obstacles during its construction. The major issue has been that it crosses over a railroad. The rail road has a right of way of 100 feet in each direction from the center of the tracks. A permit is required from the rail road every time the right of way is encroached upon. In addition, a flagman from the rail road is required to be present any time work is being done on the right of way. If the flagman is late or a no-show, no work can be done.

Sources involved with the Hwy 52 bridge project are projecting the bridge be opened to traffic within three to four weeks. They still have one side of asphalt to put down. Sodding is planned to start in the next two days.

The Highway 52 bridge is a Alabama Department of Transportation project.

Photos by Matt Boster

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