County approves $121K highway project

RUSSELLVILLE — County commissioners have approved a $121,600 project to add an industrial entrance to Highway 36 near Alabama Stone.

County Engineer Jason Baggett said the entrance will be located on the north side of Alabama Stone. It is intended primarily for 4E Aggregates, a rockcrushing operation, but Alabama Stone will also use the access.

Assistant County Engineer Caleb Sherrill said the project will remove an existing entrance that’s located in a curve.

Baggett said the grant will cover construction costs, but the county will have additional preliminary engineering expenses. He said the amount and who will handle the engineering work have not yet been determined.

He said the county is reviewing intersections for possible future grant applications, including the Highway 43 and County Road 22 intersection.

Commissioners also approved the purchase of three pieces of equipment.

A 2017 John Deere brush cutter and a 2015 International herbicide truck were purchased from the state list. Baggett said the brush cutter cost about $103,000, and the herbicide truck cost about $43,000.

Baggett said the county will keep its previous herbicide truck, a 2011 International, for other highway department use.

The county also purchased a used road widener from Cullman County for $10,000. Baggett said the equipment will improve efficiency on shoulder work and road-widening projects.