Pedestrian bridge project finally making headway

A project dating back to Scotty McCallum's days as mayor has finally seen some updates in the last week.

The project would create a pedestrian bridge that would span across Highway 31 from Wald Park and the civic center to Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest.

Nearly 10 years ago, the city received a federal earmark of roughly $1.2 million for the project, but because the road in question is a state highway, the project's design had to be approved by ALDOT.

The bridge was designed to provide walking access across Highway 31, effectively connecting two of the city's major facilities that are bisected by the busy road.

That, City Manager Jeff Downes said, is where things got sticky.

He said for years the city has inquired with the state as to the progress of the project's approval, but always received the answer that it was "under review."

Recently, Downes said, he and Mayor Butch Zaragoza met with the head of ALDOT to press the issue further.

Downes brought the project up at the Vestavia Hills City Council's Aug. 29 work session and gave the current council and council-elect information on the recent progress.

He announced that the project had finally been "shaken loose," but that the earmarked amount had been reduced to about $700,000, which would leave somewhere between $500,000 and $650,000 in additional costs to build the bridge.

“We are working to try to find a way to mitigate the additional cost of the project so that it would not fall on the city’s cash to make it happen,” Downes said.

He said the additional funds could possibly come from pedestrian-specific ALDOT funding sources.

To complicate matters, Downes said the state wants to hear within 30 days whether or not the city wants to move forward with the project.

While he said the deadline isn't rock-hard, it does put pressure on the city council to make a decision pretty soon, and to get the cost variables figured out.

“Clearly we are not in control, we are reacting to the opportunity,” he said.

If the city decides not to move forward with the bridge project, the $700,000 earmark will be returned to ALDOT's coffers, and used in whatever way the state pleases.

"So we’re under somewhat of a vice to try to in rapid fashion to take a project that’s lingered and be able to determine if it’s a priority in the community,” he said.

Downes said that the project would allow for citizens on either size of Highway 31 to safely cross and utilize the existing sidewalks, access the library or pool and just generally provide more access. He said it would also likely help alleviate some of the parking problems the library has seen in recent years, with guests having the ability to park at Wald Park or the civic center and walk across.

He said he is hoping to have an answer soon about additional funding sources, but he will be looking to the city council to give him formal direction in the near future.