The bridge on West Medical Center Drive in Thorsby has been declassified to the point that it cannot support a school bus or heavy equipment.

Thorsby Mayor Dearl Hilyer said he met with County Engineer Tony Wearren about the possibility of securing grant money to replace the bridge. The roadway in the area has also sustained water damage.

“We’re looking at maybe replacing the bridge with culverts,” Hilyer said during Monday night’s council meeting.

Because the detour around the bridge requires motorists to drive through Jemison, the road has been placed on a Jemison school bus route, Hilyer said.

“That bridge hasn’t held up at all. There are bridges older than that one that are in better shape,” council member Marvin Crumpton said.

In other business, Superintendent Terry Jackson reported several water main breaks due to recent cold weather. Because some of the breaks were caused partially by the weight of vehicles, Jackson said some lines need to be placed deeper underground.

Grants for water line projects may be available next year, Jackson added.

Capt. Clay Bentley of the Thorsby Fire Department said call volume is currently totaling between 30 and 40 runs a month.

The department is in need of a new vehicle because an old police car is costing more money than it’s worth, Bentley added.

“We are in desperate need of a vehicle,” he told the council.

A remodeling project in the upstairs of the station was recently completed. The project was paid for out of a fire department fund.

Also, recruit school is slated to begin March 21, pending that there will be enough people to participate.

In other business, the council voted to make a blue dump truck surplus.