Council gets airport project update, discusses Hwy. 80 traffic problems

Only one major item came before the Demopolis City Council meeting Thursday, but most discussion from Council members was made during the work session ahead of the official session.

In the meeting, Jason Pendergrass gave an update on plans for constructing a new terminal building at Julian D. “Buzz” Sawyer Airfield. He reported that both the initial bids were well over the budgeted amount and had to be rejected.

The project was rebid to include everything but the terminal building. Engineers worked in as much as funds would allow, Pendergrass said, which included the site preparation, paving and other infrastructure.

Eaves Construction was the lower bidder for the second bid process. The $376,000 cost will be totally paid for by an FAA grant. Pendergrass said he hopes the terminal building can be completed in 2022, but the city will have to pitch in a percentage of the cost.

Mayor Woody Collins said the city “couldn’t have picked a worse time” to float the project as prices for construction materials skyrocketed during the pandemic. He said the first low bid was an “obscene” $500 per square foot for the 2,500 -square-foot building.

During the work session, Collins said the city finally was able to meet with ALDOT representatives to work on possible solutions to the traffic snarl along U.S. Hwy. 80 W, primarily around the Walmart, Dollar Tree and Dr. Ronnie Chu’s medical offices.

“We are trying hard to control the traffic,” said Collins, who added that he plans to sit down with all those who would be affected by any changes.

ALDOT has proposed three plans which will be studied, and whichever plan might be chosen is subject to alterations, Collins said. One of them involves the use of delineators to direct traffic and help eliminate the middle “suicide lane.” Another traffic light at the second road leading to Walmart also is suggested.

Whatever solution is chosen “depends on what we want, depends on funding, depends on many, many things,” the mayor continued. Grants will have to be involved, he said, because the cost of the project falls on the city.

The road is “so bad we couldn’t do anything wrong,” said Councilman David McCants. Councilman Jim Stanford added that it is fortunate there haven’t been any fatalities.