A temporary steel plate has been placed over a 12-inch diameter hole that has formed on Swayback Bridge between Arley and Helicon. The bridge will be closed to traffic beginning July 30, through at least July 31, for repairs.
WINSTON COUNTY - The county will be closing Swayback Bridge on County Road 77 between Arley and Helicon Tuesday, July 30, through at least Wednesday, July 31, to fill two holes that have occurred in the bridge through the years, as well as repair some cracks, noted Winston County Road Engineer James Glasgow, who announced the project at the county commission’s Monday, July 22, meeting.
“We have a couple of sections on the deck that are in need of repair,” Glasgow stated.
While the bridge is closed, no traffic coming from either direction on County Road 77, the road connecting Arley to Helicon, can access the area.
Barricades will restrict motorist access to the bridge while the project is taking place, Glasgow added.
Motorists on the Arley side will have to take County Road 41 all the way to Addison then drive around on Highway 278, county officials said.
The same is true for motorists in Addison, Helicon and Nesmith, who will have to take Highway 278 to County Road 41 South in Addison to get to Arley, Glasgow said.
“There is no cut-through because of (Smith) Lake,” he noted. “You can’t cross the lake.”
“We hate that we’re having to do this, but in order to make the bridge safe, we have to shut it down,” Glasgow pointed out.
“We’re doing everything we can to get it open as quickly as possible,” he added. “If, by chance, we are able to open it earlier than expected, we’ll make sure to let everybody know.
See complete story in the Northwest Alabamian.
Subscribe now!