DECATUR, Ala. — Most of us get to Decatur by the "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridge, a bridge that's been around since the '60's but over the years it's become more congested.
Now the city is looking at options to help mitigate the traffic.
So, the City of Decatur teamed up with TTL, Inc. to conduct a $2 million bridge feasibility study.
The research that's being done looks at repairing or replacing the bridge that's currently in place or it could mean building a new bridge at a different location.
This study that initially started earlier this year, was done because the bridges are overcapacity according to Mayor Tab Bowling.
"As we continue to grow, we know that we're going to continue to see challenges," Bowling said.
He shares that this study isn't just for Decatur, "it's about the Shoals, Limestone County, Madison County, Lawrence County. This impacts our whole region."
In May, the city asked the public to come out and draw potential alignments on a blank map where they thought a new bridge should go.
Then the company TTL, Inc. and other partners reviewed the alignments to see what was more feasible as well as developing some of their own alternative alignments.
Those feasible alternative alignments were then shown at a public meeting on Thursday night where residents could share comments or concerns.
Jason Walker, the Chief Operating Officer for TTL, Inc. says, "we're asking for comments specifically to what those concerns are, but there are a number of other issues, too, that go into this whole process of determining feasibility, which include wetlands, threatened endangered species, parklands, you know, economic impacts, cumulative impacts of all these things together. So all of that ultimately will be taken into consideration."
A big concern for some residents here in Decatur is how the proposed alignments may affect duck hunting areas like Swan Creek.
Winston Shelton, a duck hunter, says that area has been used by waterfowl hunters, "for decades and it's near and dear to a lot of people. It's the only reason I live here."
Shelton believes alternative alignment #35 would be the most feasible as he feels many of the other alternative alignments would cut into that hunting area.
"It's a loss of habitat that we will never regain because those ducks have imprinted on that for thousands of years in that flood prone area...in this basin," Shelton said.
This study has been funded by a $1 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission and the City of Decatur is matching it.
Once the study is complete, it will enter a new phase that will require more funding. After that, it will be another several years of planning and engineering before actual construction begins.
Public comment on the study is still greatly encouraged and the comment period will be open until October 1, 2023.
Comments can be sent via mail:
TTL, Inc.
Decatur Bridge Comments
3516 Greensboro Avenue Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
or email:
Decaturbridge.comments@ttlusa.com.