By Bill Short
The Millington Board of Mayor and Aldermen has unanimously contracted with a company to install a temporary modular bridge at Big Creek to “facilitate access.”
Board members took the action during their April 13 regular monthly meeting on a motion offered by Alderman Gavin Smith and seconded by Alderman Thomas McGhee.
A resolution approves the $55,000 contract with Acrow Corp. as a “sole source purchase” based on the company’s “unique qualifications and capabilities.”
It states that Acrow specializes in modular panel bridge systems designed for rapid installation in “environmentally sensitive and constrained” locations without the use of a crane.
It notes that, because of the size requirements, site constraints and need for low environmental impact construction, the company is the “sole source provider” capable of meeting the project’s technical requirements.
Shelby County was awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Community Development Block Grant – National Disaster Resilience Grant Contract and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Contract.
Funds have been awarded for efforts to improve conditions related to the 2011 disaster declaration within the floodway of the Big Creek Wetland and Recreation Area Project in Millington.
The city is coordinating efforts related to Phase 2 park amenities associated with the project.
The resolution states that the east side of Big Creek currently lacks “crossing infrastructure,” preventing necessary access and creating the potential for delays in the completion of planned improvements.
It notes that “timely access” to the project area is “critical” to ensure that construction activities can proceed and that grant funding deadlines are met.
A temporary bridge will provide access and minimize environmental impact within the “sensitive and densely wooded” wetland area.
During discussion shortly before the vote, City Clerk Karen Findley called this a “worst-case scenario” contingency step.
She noted that the bridge will enable equipment and materials to be transported, so the park area can be completed.
“This is all part of the Big Creek Resilience Project,” Findley acknowledged. “We’re under a deadline, so we want to keep the project going.”
In 2014, HUD advertised grant opportunities through its National Disaster Resilience Competition.
Shelby County was one of 67 communities in the nation eligible to apply for the grant and one of 40 that qualified to proceed to the review stages of that opportunity.
In January 2016, the county was notified that it would receive $60 million. The following month, Millington was informed that it would receive $29 million of that grant.
Both the county and the city have contributed the required local matching funds.
At its March 2020 meeting, the Millington Planning Commission approved the Site Plan and Final Plat for the Big Creek, Shelby County National Disaster Resilience Project.
The Site Plan is divided into the three areas.
Area 1, which extends from Highway 51 to Raleigh-Millington Road, will be maintained by the city. It is expected to have an amphitheater, stage, restroom building, soccer fields, parking and recreational trails.
Area 2, which extends from Raleigh-Millington to Singleton Parkway, will basically just be a trail.
Area 3, extending from Singleton to Sledge Road, will include wetlands and trails.
In May 2023, Millington obtained a permit from the state of Tennessee to begin construction on Area 1.
