Mayor Craig Ford said the city of Gadsden is applying for a $4,900,000 federal planning grant to address the Meagan Bridge, calling it a traffic bottleneck that links lanes of differing capacity.

Ford said the Meagan Bridge is a four‑lane bridge that feeds a six‑lane highway on either side and that the planning grant is a required first step before the city requests construction funding. He said a full replacement could cost between $50,000,000 and $60,000,000 and emphasized the city does not currently have that construction money but can apply for federal grants.

Ford said the city is also pursuing an eastern connector and described work moving from a historical‑preservation process back to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He said he expects construction on the connector within two to three years and that the connector will relieve some traffic pressure on the Meagan Bridge.

The mayor said his legislative experience and contacts in Washington are helping the city navigate federal funding opportunities. He added that a separate grant of $6,000,000 has been received to improve walkability from Nakalula Mountain to the West Meagan Sportsplex and that sidewalks from the bridge area would be included in planning efforts.

Ending: The mayor described the planning grant application as a prerequisite for construction funding and said the bridge project’s timeline and final funding amounts are contingent on securing federal grants.