SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. – The Shelby County Commission will vote tonight whether or not to issue a license to Tim James Inc. (TJI) for the purpose of construction and operation of a toll bridge (Coosa River Express) across the Coosa River.
The bridge was already unanimously approved by the Talladega County Commission in January.
The bridge would once again connect Talladega Co. and Shelby Co. over the Coosa River after years without a ferry. The toll bridge would connect I-65 at Calera to US 280 in Sylacauga.
Approximately 32-33 miles, including about 27 miles of new and improved roadways, would be constructed by TJI, and dedicated to Shelby and Talladega counties.
The plan: TJI would construct a private toll bridge over the Coosa River approximately 1,600 feet long with two, 12-foot-wide lanes and 8-foot-wide shoulders costing between $30-$40 million.
Watch tonight’s meeting below: