Relief is on the way for people who use 29 roads, bridges and intersections in Limestone County, with officials asking for patience and caution as projects get underway next year.

Road resurfacing, intersection improvements and bridge replacements are among the projects awarded to the county and local municipalities as part of the Alabama Transportation and Rehabilitation Improvement Program.

County Engineer Richard Sanders said the scope of the projects set to take place within the next two to three years is the largest since the county replaced more than a dozen bridges from 2001 to 2005 as part of the GARVEE bridge replacement program.

“This is going to do away with a lot of deficient bridges in a 2-to-3 year period,” said Sanders, who noted that the Liberty Lane and Grigsby Ferry bridges are among the bridges most in need of replacement. “We did get all the projects we asked for, and part of the reason for this is that we all worked together.”

County Commission Chairman Stanley Menefee said ATRIP will make a $17.5 million impact locally, and that “significant progress” has already been made on the 19 road projects and 10 bridge projects throughout the county.”

Elected officials said the prohibitive cost of major roadway projects sometimes can exceed the funding capabilities of local governments, and that ATRIP allows local governments to tackle large-scale projects.

“Since I’ve been in office, one of the hardest things to do is find money for county and city road projects,” said state Rep. Mickey Hammon, R-Decatur.

“It’s a struggle to find funding, and this is a great opportunity for all of us to work together,” said Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks. “I’m so excited to have this opportunity of the 80-20 (percent) match funding, because many cities and counties didn’t have the opportunity to even apply.”

Since 2012, the state has announced three rounds of ATRIP projects, which help local governments fund road and bridge improvements.

ATRIP, financed by GARVEE bonds that will be paid with future federal funding, requires a 20 percent local match in funding, with ATRIP contributing 80 percent.

“I’m glad Limestone County and Athens had the matching money to get into (ATRIP),” said state Rep. Dan Williams, R-Athens. “Athens and Limestone County had their budgets in shape to do this.”