The replacement of Mack Creek Bridge on Highway 55 West near Falkville will move a step closer to reality on Friday when the State Department of Transportation opens bids on the estimated $373,740 project.

The Morgan County Commission authorized Chairman Ray Long to enter into an agreement with the Department of Transportation covering the financing and construction costs associated with the bridge replacement at its regular Tuesday morning meeting. The local match of the federal aid project is $74,748.

“The existing bridge is a two-span reinforced concrete structure with steel beams and is located in the Lebanon community in District 3. It was built in 1932 and is 42 feet long.

“It has deteriorated to the point where its load capacity will have to be posted at 8 tons,” said District 3 Commissioner Don Stisher. That’s less than the weight of a school bus.

“It’s a heavily traveled road and there’s going to be some inconvenience during construction,” he said, “But hopefully motorists will understand and be patient while work is in progress.”

Chief County Engineer Greg Bodley said he expects the project to begin in September and require 50 working days to complete.

While work is in progress traffic will be detoured approximately five miles, from Huckaby Bridge Road to Barkley Bridge Road.

In another matter, the commission set a public meeting on a request to permit the county to use its equipment and personnel to clear and grub the plant site of Polyplex Corporation Ltd., at Mallard Fox Drive, Decatur. The meeting is scheduled for Aug. 1 at 9 a.m. in the commission meeting room.

The governing body acted on other matters as follows:

• Approved a gas mileage reimbursement of $55.5 cents per mile, effective July 26 in keeping with the Department of Revenue.

• Authorized the chairman to advertise for bids for janitorial supplies for all county departments, funded out of the appropriate department funds.

• Approved payment of $5,610 to Harris, Caddell & Shanks PC for legal services provided during June.

• Authorized the chairman to execute the computer software support agreement with Delta Computer Systems, representing maintenance, support and web services for the Morgan County Commissioner of Licenses Office, effective Oct. 1. 2011 through Sept. 30, 2012.

• Approved certificates to subdivide and/or consolidate for Tommy and Mary Hanners and Charles Turrentine on Rock Springs Road in District 2 and A.Q. and Martha Oldacre and Megan Wright on Collins Road in District 4.

• Authorized Revenue Commissioner Amanda Scott to implement the reclassification of three positions in the appraisal department with no change in number of personnel authorized.

• Approved payment of $1,206.15 to Trident Insurance Services for legal services regarding the claims filed against the county by Kina Renee Bailey, (auto accident).

• Authorized the chairman to enter into an agreement with the State Department of Transportation covering the financing, installation, operation and maintenance of a traffic control signal and advance warning flasher at the intersection of Gordon Terry Parkway and McEntire Lane. ALDOT will furnish and install the devices and the county will operate and maintain them.

• Authorized the chairman to extend current contracts and/or advertise for bids on the following items for FY 2011-12: corrugated metal pipe, concrete pipe, liquid asphalt, stone, chip seal, hot bituminous plant mix and cold mix.

• Authorized the chairman to advertise for bids on the following items for FY 2011-12: traffic stripe, lubricants and antifreeze, reflective glass beads, bulk gasoline and diesel and traffic signs and materials.

• Authorized the chairman to execute an agreement with the Administrative Office of Courts for the Access and Visitation Grant Program in the amount of $20,000 to provide mediation services for parents involved in custody and visitation dispute, with no match required of the county commission.

• Approved payment of $52,632 to E-Tech Construction for construction work on the new senior center at Neel.

• Approved payment of $1,470 to Nelson Engineering Associates for engineering services for the senior center at Neel.