Resident Walt Christopher told the Limestone County Commission on Nov. 3 that the Liberty Way bridge near 29101 Liberty Way in Athens was rated for 6 tons when he moved into the area in 2014 and has since been downgraded to a 3‑ton weight limit. He said he was told the bridge would be replaced but that the discovery of what he described as endangered snails required a redesign and substantially increased the project cost.

"When I moved in ... our bridge there, Liberty Way Bridal, was rated 6 tons. Since that time, it's been downgraded to a 3 ton bridge," Christopher said during public comment. He told the commission that the redesign for the snail habitat “doubled the cost” and that he had discussed options with the Fish and Wildlife Agency and county staff.

Mister Massey, the county engineer, said the department must follow Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) inspection definitions that use the terms "structurally deficient" and "functionally obsolete." He stressed those labels are inspection categories and do not mean a bridge is immediately unsafe to cross. The engineer said the Liberty Way bridge is on a three‑month inspection cycle and is “entering the end of its life,” but officials have not observed rapid new degradation since the weight rating was lowered.

Massey detailed the cost challenges of replacement work. He said recent local culvert replacement work cost about $100,000 and that building a bridge of similar scale requires far greater funds; the endangered‑species-driven redesign and the need to assure resident access raised the project cost and complexity. He said options with Fish and Wildlife exist but are “not cheap,” including relocation measures the agency might require.

Christopher said he had sought records and timelines on which bridges were worked on in fiscal 2025 and which are planned for 2026, and that he received a registered‑mail response from the county attorney stating: "we have no records that we believe are responsive to your request," language Christopher read to the commission. He asked whether a formal replacement plan exists and whether there is anything residents can do to help.

Massey and county officials explained one complicating factor is temporary access for the five homes east of Little Limestone Creek that depend on the current single access. He said the subdivision master plan includes a developer stub that would create a secondary access when the developer constructs that phase, but the developer has not done so. In past funding reviews, Massey said, outside reviewers sometimes concluded it would be cheaper to construct a road tie‑in than to replace the bridge, which reduced eligibility for additional state or federal funds.

Massey emphasized the county inspects and maintains bridges and will close any structure if a safety concern arises. He said the Liberty Way bridge has been monitored and maintained and that while it is at the end of its useful life, there is not currently evidence that would force immediate closure.

The commission did not record a vote or adopt a replacement schedule on Nov. 3. Christopher said he had filed emails and a public‑records request and was seeking a clear timeline; the commission directed staff to continue inspections and to work with appropriate agencies on funding and permitting options.