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In late January 2003, construction crews prepare to pour the new bridge's concrete pillars

A bridge over this narrow span will save area residents up to a 30-mile detour.

Construction workers have a lot of work to do before they pour a concrete deck for the $1.4 million dollar bridge. By early March, the new bridge will bring an end to a long detour for nearby residents.

Tuscaloosa County transportation officials expect a bridge reconstruction in north Lake Tuscaloosa to be finished on schedule in early March.

Residents in the Bull Slough community have been without the area's only access bridge since historic Pole Bridge was damaged and condemned last Spring. That bridge closure has forced some residents on a detour of up to 30 miles, including a long, muddy drive down an old logging road. But Tuscaloosa County engineer Allan Springer says that detour will end in early March, when the new two-lane bridge is completed.

"It's gonna be close, but as it stands now, we expect them to meet that deadline. But that's dependant on a number of variables like the weather and availability of materials. But as it stands now, we do anticipate that they'll meet that deadline," he said.

Brasfield and Gorrie Incorporated began the project on November 18th, and were given 80 working days to complete it. Those working days don't include holidays, weekends or days with bad weather. Springer says he doesn't know an exact deadline date, but he says it will be in early March. He also says once the new bridge is finished, the Bull Slough community can expect to see new development projects.

"There have been accommodations made in this project to extend water lines in that area. So we expect this to encourage future development in that area," Springer said. "The new bridge will be much wider and will accommodate two lane traffic with no problem. The previous structure was a one-lane bridge and was an inconvenience to cross."

The bridge replacement project will cost about 1-point-4 million dollars. Meanwhile, local officials are still looking for the funds to re-erect historic Pole Bridge on a spot where pedestrians can use it. Possible homes that have surfaced in discussions about the 120-year structure include Kentuck Park in Northport and Tannehill State Park in McCalla.

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