Mid-Week Bridge Inspections May Slow Your Morning Commute

De Armanville, AL · July 22, 2026

The cicadas are already buzzing near the creek this morning. If you are heading toward the interstate, keep an eye out for the survey crews starting their rounds near the overpass.

📰 The Lead

Bridge safety inspections are scheduled to begin this morning along the Highway 78 corridor, specifically targeting the spans over Choccolocco Creek. While these are routine biennial checks, the proximity to our main thoroughfares means residents should expect intermittent lane closures and flaggers through Thursday afternoon.

Engineers will be using specialized "snooper" trucks to access the underside of the structures, which often requires blocking the shoulder and one travel lane to stabilize the equipment. Local officials noted that these inspections are particularly important this cycle following the heavy spring rains that caused minor erosion near the bridge abutments. For those of us who use this route to reach Oxford or the I-20 interchange, adding an extra five minutes to the morning drive is a wise move. The crews aim to have all equipment cleared before the Friday afternoon rush begins.

🏙️ Local Pulse

  • Choccolocco Park Field Maintenance — Crews are laser-leveling the infields today to prepare for the upcoming weekend tournament series.

  • County Brush Clearing — Mowing tractors are moving toward the eastern edge of the valley to clear sightlines at rural intersections.

☁️ Today's Outlook

  • High 92°F · Low 76°F — Overcast
    • It will feel heavy out there today, so keep the water bottle handy while outside.

📅 What's On Around Town

  • Oxford: Toddler Storytime — Oxford Public Library, 10:30 AM Interactive reading and craft session for the little ones in the cool air conditioning.

  • Oxford: Public Swim — Oxford Lake Park, 12:00–5:00 PM The perfect mid-week cool down for students enjoying the last weeks of summer.

  • Anniston: Wednesday Farmers Market — Zinn Park, 1:00–5:00 PM Fresh corn and tomatoes are peaking; bring a basket for the haul.

  • Anniston: Live Trivia Night — Coldwater Mountain Brew Co., 6:30 PM Short drive for a competitive evening; teams of all sizes are welcome.

📸 Spotlight & Story

  • The Choccolocco Valley Barn Stars
    • Many older barns in our area still feature geometric "barn stars." Local families adopted these patterns for decoration and luck during the mid-century agricultural boom. One weathered structure near the creek still displays a hand-painted star, a quiet nod to the valley's folk-art history.

De Armanville Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

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