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Demopolis residents can expect disruptions in traffic for two or three weeks as road repaving takes place on McNamara Road from Pettus Street to Arcola Road. The intersection of Pettus and McNamara will be shut down to all vehicles during this time.

At the Demopolis City Council meeting on August 5, the council approved a temporary truck route for trucks making deliveries to the Cemex plant on Arcola Road. The council also made plans to reduce the amount of damage on city streets during the closures.

Mayor Woody Collins said around 300 truckloads of limestone travels to and from the plant in a day. Project Manager Mike Baker said the state “requires trucks to use a lighted intersection when turning off a major highway.” He also reported that the best route for the trucks will be on Front Street from Hwy. 80 to Pettus Street then to Arcola Road.

Councilman Charles Jones suggested having the trucks use Cedar Street, which is Hwy. 43, and turn onto Pettus Street from there to keep from damaging Front Street, which the city would have to repair. Baker said he would work with state officials and Cemex to come up with an alternate route.

A temporary speed limit of 15 mph was also set for Front Street and Arcola during the construction period.

Collins reported that the old jail building has been demolished and the original 12-man cell was successfully recovered from the building. He said research showed that the cell is the original jail on Commissioners Street where the water tower now stands.

“I am proud of the Council for pulling the trigger to spend the money on the jail,” said Collins. “We keep beating up the community on beautification. This is something we had that needed done for a long, long time. I hope the community sees that we’ve done our part of cleaning the community up.”

Items approved by the council:

Approved Fraizer-Lanier investment banking firm to start the process to refinance a city bond issue. The action will save the city an estimated $20,000 annually through 2037.

The Demopolis City Council meets on the first and third Thursdays of every month at 5:15 p.m.