Business enduring extension project

Shoals Electronic Service has been in business on the corner of Helton Drive and Florence Boulevard for more than 17 years , and owner Bobby Weldon has witnessed a lot of changes there.

But the biggest change is still to come, and it's coming this year.

Construction work will begin within weeks to extend the Patton Island bridge corridor from Huntsville Road.

The project will carry traffic over Florence Boulevard and down Helton Drive toward Hermitage Drive.

Unlike some business owners in the area, who have relocated their businesses because of the pending project, Weldon said he is not worried about the effects the construction work could have on his business, because he believes the finished product will be worth it.

"I don't think it will hurt me at all," said Weldon, who repairs televisions, microwaves and other electronics. "It will be a good thing."

Weldon said he is looking forward to the days when traffic will pass his business on the corridor's limited-access highway above his store. Customers will be able to access his business via a service road.

"There are a lot of businesses under Memorial Parkway in Huntsville," Weldon pointed out.

Weldon won't have much longer to wait, as construction on the project is expected to begin soon.

Wright Brothers Construction Co., of Charleston, Tenn., has been awarded the bid for the $20 million project.

James Brown, Alabama Department of Transportation Second Division engineer, said construction is expected to begin soon, whenever the weather is suitable. The project will take two years or more, transportation officials say.

Brown said transportation department workers have already begun preliminary surveying at the site.

The first leg of the project will involve widening Florence Boulevard, followed by starting the approach for the interchange and the bridge at Florence Boulevard.

The corridor ends just north of Huntsville Road and must be extended 1.269 miles to Hermitage Drive.

When it is completed, drivers will be able to drive across Patton Island bridge and pass only one traffic light before arriving at Hermitage Drive.

There will be an overpass to take traffic over Florence Boulevard, with an interstate-style exchange with on and off ramps.

The Patton Island bridge opened in October 2002. Workers already have started construction on the second phase of the corridor in Muscle Shoals. That part of the project will result in seven lanes of traffic from River Road, which is just south of the bridge entrance, to just south of Avalon Avenue.

The new northbound lanes on that phase of the corridor are nearly completed. Traffic in both directions will be routed on the new roads, while workers rework the existing lanes.

State and federal money is being used on the project.

Ty West can be reached at 740-5720 or ty.west@timesdaily.com.