Ground was recently broken for the latest phase of construction of the final segment of the Anniston Eastern Bypass (state route 192) in Calhoun County, Ala. The ceremony was led by Gov. Bob Riley, U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, and Transportation Director Joe McInnes on Oct. 13.

The event signaled the beginning of construction on the $29.4 million federal stimulus project on the 8-mi. (12.8 km), four-lane highway that runs through Ft. McClellan between I-20 and U.S. 431. The road will bypass Anniston on the east side of town from I-20 to the north side of Anniston.

This phase of the project will involve the construction of the grade, drainage and bridges, as well as the partial base and pave on the Anniston Eastern Bypass (SR 192) from south of Lake Yahou to SR 1 (U.S. 431) at Saks. The length of the phase will cover 2.8 mi. (4.5 km).

The contract was awarded to L & T Construction Inc., Hernando, Miss., which is owned by Levi Harris. Work is under the direction of Mark Waycaster.

According to Rebecca L. White of the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), this particular project represents an investment of $29.4 million dollars of Federal Stimulus Funds on top of the $97 million already spent on previous phases of construction.

Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, this segment of construction is expected to be completed in early 2011. It will be followed by a paving project prior to the opening of the entire length of the bypass.

Another project is currently under way on the bypass as well, which involves the base and pave on the south tract of the old Fort McLellan. The prime contractor is APAC Midsouth Inc., Birmingham, Ala., under the direction of Ray Doss.

The Anniston Bypass has involved many different segments. ALDOT completed the first 2.2 mi. (3.5 km) from I-20 to Choccoiocco Road in Oct. 2004. The grade and drain was completed on the next segment from Choccoiocco Road to Lake Yahou, 2.7 mi. (4.3 km) in July 2009.

As of Dec. 7, 2009, the full dollar amount for the construction of the entire project was valued at $84 million, not including right of way or utilities. The first job began in Oct. 2001 and work is expected to be complete in 2012 or 2013.

The work has proved to be challenging for contractors because of large 140-ft. (43.6 m) cuts and lots of rock. In addition, the property runs through an old military installation that had to be cleaned of unexploded ordnances.

The dirt and rock excavation involved 9.6 million yds. (8.7 million m) and the project included 170,000 tons (154,221 m t) of asphalt; 30,000 yds. (27,432 m) of concrete; 38,000 ft. (11,582 m) of pipe; and 17,302 ft. (5,273 m) of girders.

Major subcontractors have included Wailes Construction Company Inc., Talladega, Ala.; Walker Patton Company Inc., Birmingham, Ala.; McCartney Construction Company, Gadsden, Ala.; Abramson Construction, Birmingham, Ala.; Alabama Bridge, Birmingham, Ala.; and several others.

Equipment has included a Komatsu 1250 trackhoe, a Caterpillar 777 off-road dump truck, a Caterpillar 773 off-road dump truck, a Caterpillar D-9 dozer; a Caterpillar D-8 dozer, a DeMag H-135 loader, a Caterpillar 992 loader, a Caterpillar 375 trackhoe, and a Caterpillar 350 trackhoe.

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