BEN - Bama Environmental News: September 2010

Cherokee and DeKalb counties, Ala. – Transportation Director Joe McInnes today joined federal, state and local officials to dedicate the new Little River Canyon Bridge on State Highway 35 connecting Cherokee and DeKalb counties. The event, held on the east side of the bridge in Cherokee County, signals the completion of the $7.6 million project that combines functional and sustainable construction with aesthetics to enhance the natural beauty of the already breathtaking Little River Canyon National Preserve.

The new Little River Canyon Bridge replaces the old State Highway 35 Bridge built in 1948. Due to its structural integrity and environmentally-sensitive design, the bridge project has paved the way for similar projects in the future.

“We’re excited to unveil this new project as the first of its kind in the state,” McInnes said. “ALDOT’s intent was to integrate the bridge design into the environment and natural terrain of the Little River National Preserve. I’m proud to say we were successful. The new bridge exhibits a sense of continuity with its natural surroundings, and we will look for opportunities in the future where we can design bridges that fit into the local environment.”

With a driving surface 53 feet above the riverbed, the new bridge is 465 feet long. The new bridge has only one pier set in the middle of the streambed, which causes the least possible amount of impact to the natural flow of the river. Support beams and rebar were manufactured using recycled steel, and recycled asphalt was used to pave the driving surface. The bridge has a fully-developed pedestrian lane featuring three viewing areas with benches overlooking the scenic Little River Canyon and falls. Another unique aspect of the bridge is its 11,800 square feet of simulated stone masonry, adding overall artistic value and visual appeal. Additionally, materials from the old bridge will be recycled and reused in future road construction projects.

Construction on the project by contractor Highways Inc. of Brentwood, Tenn., began April 8, 2009. The project, originally slated for completion in November 2010, came in ahead of schedule. The bridge opened to traffic Aug. 27, 2010.

Thursday, September 09, 2010

Bama Environmental News #334

Links & Videos

Alabama First

http://www.alabamafirst.org/

Organic Wines in Alabama

http://www.johnnygreenseedswines.com/

Dauphin Island's George Crozier Discusses the Oil Spill

http://www.wkrg.com/alabama/article/fox-guarding-the-henhouse-on-the-oil-spill/927210/Sep-07-2010_11-20-pm/

Dr. George Crozier on Seafood Contamination

http://www.wkrg.com/gulf_oil_spill/article/whats-in-our-water/920797/Aug-27-2010_9-34-am/

WEAR 3 Coastal Crisis Series

http://www.weartv.com/newsroom/features/coastal-crisis

Higher Ground Roasters - The Wilderness Society

http://www.highergroundroasters.com/store1/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=85

News

State Receives $36 million grant to help increase energy efficiency

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20100827/NEWS02/8270332/1009/rss04

Plans to Expand the Cahaba River Wildlife Refuge

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/08/big_plan_for_cahaba_river_us_r.html

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/09/property_owners_fear_land_grab.html

Gubernatorial Candidates Support Re-Authorization of Forever Wild

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/08/candidates_for_governor_back_f.html

Forever Wild Editorials

http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2010/08/our_view_both_gubernatorial_ca.html

http://www.annistonstar.com/view/full_story/9227721/article-Going-wild-in-Alabama

Forever Wild to Buy Land to Expand Tannehill State Park

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/06/alabama_forever_wild_to_buy_fo.html

Tom Spencer's Bham News Article About the Forestry Commission's Forests at the Crossroads Report - 225,000 forest acres lost in Alabama 2000-2008

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/09/land_for_timber_falls_as_subur.html

Tuscaloosa's News City Park

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20100908/NEWS/100909677/1007?Title=Downtown-plaza-lures-visitors

Dogwood Alliance Green Grades 2010

http://pressroomda.greenmediatoolshed.org/sites/default/files/greengrades2010_final.pdf

Bicycling Groups Receive Grants for Trails

http://annistonstar.com/bookmark/9384010

BEN Calendar

Events at Landmark Park - Dothan in August and September

http://www.landmarkpark.com/pressroom.html

Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama’s Moon Over Three Caves Dance – September 18 in Huntsville.

http://landtrust-hsv.org/moon-over-three-caves-dance-sept-18/

23rd Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup - September 18th

http://www.alabamacoastalcleanup.com/clean-up.html

Cahaba River Society “Fry- Down” – September 25, 10:00am to 4:00pm

http://www.cahabariversociety.org

Southern Environmental Center's EcoFest 12 - October 7th, 6:00-9:00 at WorkPlay

7th Annual John L. Borom Alabama Coastal Birdfest - October 14-17

http://www.alabamacoastalbirdfest.com/

Alabama-Mississippi Bays and Bayous Symposium in Mobile - December 1-2

http://www.mobilebaynep.com/baysandbayous

Sweetwater Beer and Black Warrior Riverkeepers Team Up Again in September

http://savetheblackwarrior.com/

Jobs Available

NWF Southeast Regional Representative

https://careers.nwf.org/ext/detail.asp?jobid=nwf2061-525295293

Gulf Coast Regional Coordinator - Waterkeeper Alliance

http://www.saveourgulf.org/updates/career-opportunity-gulf-coast-regional-coordinator-waterkeeper

Ruffner Mountain Positions

http://www.ruffnermountain.org/contact-info/career-opportunities.html

After School Teacher needed immediately for program with conservation, life/environmental science focus. Program takes place at Montevallo Middle School 2:30 to 6:00 M-F with some evening and Sat. hours possible. Pay is $20 per hour. Teaching experience (camps OK) in life/environmental science required, school experience preferred. Please send resume to martha_bains@yahoo.co.