Work on River Falls Street will likely be delayed until at least June 2010, Andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson told council members Tuesday night.

The revitalization, expected to cost more than $3 million, is being funded with a combination of $1.5 million in state funds and with a city bond issue.

Johnson said he learned of the delay last week when he placed a call to the state Department of Transportation (DOT) to find out when the city’s plans for the project might be approved.

“They have a very specific process,” Johnson said. “They don’t approve the plans until the money is released.”

He said when he called, the answer given was the one expected, “they didn’t have the money to release.”

The money is being funneled through the state with the federal stimulus package.

Johnson said he immediately called House Speaker Seth Hammett, who also made some calls.

“We now have been told we will receive the money in the first quarter of 2010,” Johnson said.

Once the funds are in place, the DOT will approve the final plan and bids can be let, which means it could be at least June before work on the road begins.

In unrelated action, the council appointed Patricia Davis to the library board and reappointed Mike Holloway to the South Alabama Regional Airport Authority.