By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–Helena residents and commuters who routinely travel on Shelby County 95 might experience some delays in the coming weeks.

Currently, an asphalt resurfacing project is taking place on a portion of the highway. This time of year is the main timeframe for these types of projects to take place, Shelby County Engineer Randy Cole said in a July 7 interview.

In addition to the Shelby County 95 project, the Helena City Council also passed two other resolutions on Monday, July 6, approving two more resurfacing projects to take place within the coming months.

The two other resurfacing projects will take place at Shelby County 17 between Shelby County 58 and Shelby County 52 and also at Shelby County 91 to Shelby County 52.

Cole does not yet know the full logistics of the two recently approved resurfacing resolutions for Helena, but he said all the projects will positively impact those who travel in Helena in the future.

“These are sorely needed projects,” said Cole. “Once complete, it will help people who travel in and around Helena. Helena has approved their part of the project and two projects are federally aid funded.”

Cole said he did not know how the funding was working for the Shelby County 95 project but the other two resurfacing projects are being funded through the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program or ATRIP.

ATRIP is an ALDOT-administered federal aid highway program that funds up to 80 percent of the construction of important roadway projects.

Shelby County will only be responsible for the remaining 20 percent of the funding.