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By SCOTT MIMS / Staff Writer

The bridge over Waxahatchee Creek on the portion of Alabama 25 that connects Columbiana and Calera will be replaced this fall, the Alabama Department of Transportation has announced.

The $2 million project is being done through the department’s ATRIP 2 (Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement-II) Program and will take approximately 18 months to complete, according to Linda Crockett, public information officer for ALDOT’s East Central Region.

The bridge is located just outside Columbiana corporate limits on the aforementioned route.

“The bridge has been in service beyond its expected service life,” Crockett said. “It was constructed and opened to traffic in 1928. We will replace the existing bridge over Waxahatchee Creek and make improvements to the roadway approaches to the bridge for the safety of the traveling public. Guardrail will be constructed on the approaches and barrier rail will be installed on the bridge.”

According to a past report, the ATRIP II funds for the project will be limited to about $1,580,650, while county funds will be limited to about $419,349.

ALDOT could not confirm a more specific start date for the project, other than to say it would begin “tentatively in late 2021.”

During bridge construction, the affected portion of Alabama 25 will be closed to thru traffic and detoured to Alabama 70, the other major thoroughfare connecting Columbiana and Calera, for the safety of workers and the traveling public.

Travelers headed south on 25 will be detoured to Alabama 70 in Columbiana, then to Shelby County 42, which reconnects with Alabama 25 within Calera city limits. Meanwhile, travelers headed north on 25 will be detoured first to Shelby County 42, then to Alabama 70, according to an ALDOT press release.