Early stages of work being done back in May on 229

DOT gives details on Tallassee projects

By Michael Butler

The Alabama Department of Transportation has been busy in Tallassee lately. The improvements are already taking shape.

Highway 229 from Five Points to the Interstate 85 is being resurfaced and will soon be finished.

"The 229 project is on schedule to be completed this summer," ALDOT public information officer Brantley Kirk said. "Milling and paving at the railroad and final traffic markings throughout the project remain."

Kirk noted that price tag on the project is approximately $2 million with Asphalt Contractors, Inc. of Montgomery.

Removing the old poles	And the new installments

Another upgrade in Tallassee is on the Benjamin Fitzpatrick Bridge. New light poles have been installed. The cost was about $200,000.

1941 photo by Horace Perry Alabama Department of Archives and History

The replaced poles were original to the structure which was dedicated in 1940.

ALDOT matched the style of the old poles with one exception. The color of the originals were silver/gray matching the bridge. The new poles are black.

The next step is to paint the bridge, which Kirk states is in the planning stages, but what color will it be?

"The bridge will be painted silver aluminum," she said. "(The) bridge painting project will follow all requirements including total containment of the bridge paint blasting."