Anniston, AL – The City of Anniston is thrilled to update the community on the remarkable progress of the Chief Ladiga Trail Extension project. This transformative initiative aims to connect the Chief Ladiga Trail Head at Michael Tucker Park to the Anniston Multi-Modal Center, creating a seamless pathway spanning approximately 6.5 miles.
The City embarked on this venture in May 2022, enlisting the expertise of Sain Associates to provide professional engineering services for the Chief Ladiga Trail. The initial phase of the project involved inspecting the old railroad bridges to assess their condition and determine the necessary level of rehabilitation or replacement for safe passage of trail users. Koppers Railroad Structures, hailing from Madison, Wisconsin, conducted a thorough inspection during the summer months and submitted their report to the City in August 2022. Unfortunately, the inspection revealed that these timber structures were in dire need of repair. Consequently, the City made the crucial decision to replace the bridges, necessitating additional geotechnical and structural design work from our dedicated engineering team.
The City, alongside the engineering team, has been diligently advancing the design of the trail extension. In December 2022, a comprehensive submittal was made to the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), presenting the 30% completion plans for review. In Spring of 2023, Building and Earth performed geotechnical work, specifically a bridge foundation report. The bridge design process, led by Christy Cobb, incorporated hydraulic studies conducted by Walter Schoel Engineering to establish elevations and minimize the impact of the bridge structures.
Currently, the project plans are at an impressive 80% completion, and the City is in the process of submitting them to the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) in mid-June for their review. Following this, two subsequent submittals to ALDOT will be made before obtaining their approval to advertise and initiate the construction bidding process. To fund the construction phase, the City has diligently applied for a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant and eagerly anticipates notification of the award in July 2023. Pending a successful grant, construction is tentatively scheduled to commence in the Fall of 2023, with a projected completion date in late 2024.
The City of Anniston is excited about the tremendous benefits that the Chief Ladiga Trail Extension will bring to the community, fostering connectivity, promoting active lifestyles, and bolstering economic growth. The City of Anniston remains committed to working tirelessly to ensure the realization of this visionary project, which will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy for years to come.
