Bethel Road construction begins

Joy Harris
Hartselle Enquirer

Reed Contracting Service Inc. of Huntsville started construction to widen Bethel Road on Tuesday.

The Hartselle City Council accepted the bid from Reed Contracting for $664,841.96 at its last meeting Tuesday, May 14. Since then the contract has been sent to Reed Contracting and their Birmingham engineering firm Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood Inc. to sign and return.

A pre-construction meeting was held Friday, May 24, at 9 a.m. where Jeff Johnson, Director of Hartselle’s Department of Development, and Reed Contracting will discuss standards for inspection and other details.

This construction would widen Bethel Road to three lanes in front of Hartselle High School and Burleson Elementary and repave the half a mile from Highway 36 to Burleson. A turn lane will be added from Bethel Road turning right onto Highway 36, and the turn lanes from Highway 36 onto Bethel Road will be lengthened. The construction would also widen Roan Road where it meets Highway 36 for easier bus access.

The contract says Reed Contracting can finish the improvements in 80 days. There are 84 calendar days between May 26 and the first day of school Aug. 19.

Johnson said weather delays would be considered accordingly. Both parties are hoping the weather will cooperate and not delay construction into the school year.

During construction, Reed Contracting plans to use barrels, flagmen and possibly some detours for traffic control.

Jeff Johnson, Director of Hartselle’s Department of Development, feels the project’s progress is going smoothly.

“Things are running as normal, and we should be ready to go on Tuesday, May 28,” Johnson said.