Update: Temporary bridge in place on storm-damaged Everett Springs Road; separate Floyd County Schools bus stop set. Update on area roads

Media release: Floyd County Public Works has installed a temporary structure at the bridge on Everett Springs Road that is open to local traffic. According to Michael Skeen, Director of Public Works for Floyd County, “The structure is actually the truck scale from our old asphalt plant. Our bridge and drainage section supervisor, Denton Wright, came up with a plan to use the scale to temporarily allow us to open the road.” The area is marked for a single lane crossing at a reduced limit of five tons. “The scale was only 10 feet wide and when we added rails, the clearance was reduced to less than nine feet. We wanted to do whatever we could to reconnect this community to Floyd County – even if it is temporary.”

Public Works crews did prep work this weekend and started moving equipment in place on Sunday. The scale was set in place Monday. Currently, the approaches to the scale are dirt, but County crews expect to get tar and gravel down on Tuesday. The primary detour for residents was approximately 25 miles one way.

Floyd County will maintain a Mutual Aid support for Fire and EMS with neighboring counties because of the weight/width restrictions but the Floyd County Police Department will be able to respond as needed. We will continue to review options for a permanent structure. Skeen added, “We hope to order material soon, but the lead time could be several weeks, which made a temporary structure even more valuable.”

School buses are restricted. Floyd County Schools has setup a bus stop/turn around at 3511 Everett Springs Road, just below the temporary structure, to allow residents to drop-off/pick-up kids if needed.

PREVIOUSLY

Because of flooding from the recent rains, Everett Springs Road has been closed in the 3500 block because of a failure with a small bridge over a tributary to John’s Creek… Johns Creek has flooded, doing damage to the road.

LATEST ROAD CLOSINGS (5:30 p.m. Monday)

Collier Road is now open for traffic

Closed due to high water

Thomas Bluff Road

Old River Road (Hwy 20 – Boat Ramp)

In addition, Flowery Branch Road has been closed in the gravel section as Floyd County crews work on the road bed. This road should re-open by 4 pm on 1/5/16.

GORDON COUNTY

From the Gordon County Public Works:
The following list represents the OPEN roads and CLOSED roads as of January 4, 2016 at noon

OPEN ROADS,

FROM GORDON COUNTY SCHOOLS

Because of recent flooding in the area, some roads remain closed in Gordon County. As a result, a few of the bus routes for Gordon County Schools will be affected until roads are reopened. The transportation department is in the process of contacting the parents of any student who will not be able to be picked up or dropped off at his/her normal bus stop to determine alternate transportation arrangements. Thank you for your patience and cooperation in this matter. We look forward to welcoming back all of our students tomorrow morning!

CHEROKEE COUNTY, ALA.

From the sheriff’s office: Notice to all residents and anyone who travels through Cherokee County: please be aware the westbound lane of Alabama Highway 68 between Leesburg and Sand Rock was significantly damaged during recent flooding and is closed to all traffic, including local and through traffic. Despite the road closure signage and widespread media notification, numerous motorists are driving around the barricades into oncoming traffic. This is a very dangerous situation. Many motorists have stated they simply did not want to drive “the long way around.” Local law enforcement and sheriff’s deputies have been extremely busy writing citations and trying to prevent accidents on Alabama Highway 68. As it is a state highway, I have been in contact with the Department of Transportation and Alabama Law Enforcement officials to request State Troopers be posted at the bottom of the mountain to help warn motorists not to ignore the barricade. Until then, local law enforcement will help in this effort, as much as we are available. According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, repairs to this section of roadway will be extensive and could take a month or longer to repair. Please be patient and allow sufficient time to detour, obey the signs, and do not risk your life or the lives of others.