Official word came Monday that officials in Talladega County have applied for permission from the federal government to erect a bridge spanning the Coosa River at Perkins Landing.

The news came as no surprise to Shelby County officials who have been in conversation with our across the river neighbors for years on this subject.

The two counties are not just on opposite sides of the Coosa River, they are also on diametrically different sides of this bridge issue.

The issue: Talladega officials want the bridge built to create easier access from all points north to what is a fairly undeveloped portion of their county; what or who is behind this effort is not completely clear.

Shelby County officials, while not categorically opposed to the bridge, believe Talladega County should pay for the needed infrastructure improvements on the Shelby County side of the proposed bridg. Such improvements would be necessitated by the increased traffic brought about by the bridge&8217;s construction.

Reasonable people would agree it is understandable that Talladega would want the economic boom the bridge most likely would bring to that part of their county.

And, considering that they have something to gain from the bridge&8217;s construction, it seems perfectly reasonable for Talladega to cover the costs of infrastructure improvements on both sides of the proposed bridge.

Not so unlike a developer building a new shopping center or subdivision, those with a vested interest and potential gain from the creation of new or increased traffic patterns should bear the burden of improving impacted infrastructure.

And, anyone who as spent time on Shelby County&8217;s roadways realizes that we, as a county, have much more pressing infrastructure demands than Ferry Road.

Certainly, taxpayer&8217;s in Shelby County should not be expected to pay for what is, for a lack of a better description, an economic development project benefiting citizens of Talladega County.

Our county commission should be applauded for protecting the interest and the pocketbooks of Shelby County residents.

No question more will be written and said about this issue before the proposed bridge does or does not come to full fruition.