After several years of delays, the plan to restore Clarkson Covered Bridge is moving forward once more.
The Cullman County Commission approved a proposal with Almon Associates of Birmingham for an engineering study on the bridge during their regular meeting Wednesday. The commission also approved an extension of an agreement with the state of Alabama until 2011 for a $400,000 grant to restore the bridge.
In all, the commission has $750,000 in grants for the restoration as well as approximately $160,000 set aside for matching funds.
“The grants were made available in 2001,” said Commission Chairman James Graves. “The matching funds have been set aside for a long time.”
Graves said the bridge is in desperate need of repair.
“Part of the problem is a lot of the wood is rotting,” he said.
Graves said the project was delayed not long after the grants were acquired due to conflicts between the county commission and the county park and recreation board.
“The grants weren’t used,” Graves said. “Finally now, the board has been done away with and the commission is back in charge of the parks.”
The restoration was delayed further when the project’s original engineer became seriously ill and could not do the work.
“Now we have to turn around and do it again with a different engineer,” Graves said. “They’ll do estimates and drawings of the bridge.”
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Clarkson Covered Bridge was constructed in 1904. At 270 feet in length, it is the only remaining covered bridge in Cullman County.
“It’s a historical treasure,” Graves said. “There’s not that many of those old wood bridges anymore. We need to maintain it for posterity for our kids and grandkids.”
Graves said he was confident the restoration process would be completed by the 2011 deadline.
“It will definitely be done this time ... and it will be better than ever,” he said.
‰ Patrick McCreless can be reached by e-mail at patrickm@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131 ext. 270.
Top News
County to restore historic bridge
- Top News
-
-
Harpist performing Saturday at Berkeley Bob’s Coffee House
Setting your thoughts to music and offering them for others’ enjoyment — or, perhaps, their provocation — can be a challenge. It can be exhilarating, frustrating, revealing or affected — sometimes all at once.
-
Wreck claims one life, another injured
A two-vehicle accident just west of Cullman late Wednesday afternoon took the life of a Cullman man and sent the driver of a separate vehicle to the hospital with injuries police said were not life-threatening.
-
Moe’s BBQ headed to downtown Cullman with patio dining, live music stage
Being from Cullman County, Good Hope alum Tyler Schuman knows the area is historically lacking in nightlife.
-
UPDATE: Sisters die from injuries sustained in Tuesday accident
Two Cullman County women are dead as a result of a two-vehicle accident that happened near the intersection of Alabama Highway 69 and County Road 223 Tuesday afternoon in the area of Dodge City.
-
Authorities seize synthetic marijuana at Good Hope Exxon; one charged
A Cullman man and local store manager is facing drug charges as a result of an investigation by the Cullman Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET).
-
Man charged with trafficking pot
Suspicious traffic complaints to the Cullman Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET) from citizens about the area around Highway 91 in Colony led to the arrest of a local man Tuesday morning.
-
Two women injured in accident in Dodge City
Two Cullman women were transported by separate helicopters to UAB Tuesday to receive medical treatment following a two-vehicle accident at Dodge City.
-
Candy Phillips Thomas seeking probate judge seat
Longtime public school teacher Candy Phillips Thomas has announced she will seek the Republican nomination for Cullman County probate judge in the March 13 primary election.
-
3 arrested in connection with church burglaries
Three people were arrested over the weekend in connection with a church burglary that took place at Seventh Street Baptist Church in June of last year.
Eric McMillian turned himself into the Cullman Police Department Saturday and was charged with burglary and receiving stolen property according to officials. A female juvenile was also taken into custody. -
Hanceville church vandalized; 'Hail Satan' written in cross' place
Hanceville Police are working on several leads to find out who vandalized Center Hill Baptist Church sometime between Thursday night and the early morning Friday.
- More Top News Headlines
-
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
