Staff Writer

Pike County officials are moving ahead on bridge and paving projects.

Monday night, the Pike County Commission signed resolutions to move another step toward replacing five bridges.

Those bridges on the plan are the ones at: Bear Creek Branch on Parron Church Road; the creek on Battle Road near the Pike County Fairgrounds; the one on Big Creek, known as Burned Out Bridge, between Highway 87 and County Road 27; one southwest of Tarentum and the one on Mill Creek, which is west of Mt. Moriah.

Replacement of the bridges will be paid for under the state bond issue that was approved by Alabama voters last year.

County Engineer Herb Huner said action taken by the commissioners will put the state on notice the county plans to use the bond money.

Huner also asked commissioners to consider a proposed list of roads he would like to resurface.

The roads first on Huner’s list are: County Road 48 from Flat Creek to Saco, 2.3 miles, $119,300; County Road 73 from Tennille north toward Brundidge, 4.4 miles, $291,300; County Road 5 from U.S. 29 north to County Road 30, 1.06 miles, $73,200; County Road 1 from County Road 47 to Shady Grove, 5.05 miles, $258,000.

"These are the ones we feel are most in need," Huner said of the list.

It’s estimated resurfacing of the 12.81 miles of roadway will cost $741,800.

"We’re allowed two years to tie these funds down," Huner said of the Federal Aid Funds available to the county.

Of the Federal Aid Funds available $496,000 must be committed by May 2002. The county’s match will be $124,000 with the total project coming to about $620,000.

In other business, the commission:

· Authorized one-step pay raises (anniversary) to seven employees and medical leave to one employee.

· Gave its authority to enter into a contract with Meeks Pest Control.

· Took action that would prohibit part-time employees from working more than 19 hours.

· Signed a proclamation that designates Nov. 16-22 as Farm City Week in Pike County.

· Gave permission for the Salvation Army to use the Rock Building for storage up to 30 days as long as a document is signed, exonerating the county from liability.

· Authorized Emergency Management Agency Director Larry Davis to research interest in a training course on terrorism. The county would have to put up $800 per course for the three classes, but would be reimbursed.

· Acknowledged the absence of Commissioners Karen Berry, who was out of town, and Ray Goodson, who was sick.