City government grants, projects, etc

Suburb we live in outside of Birmingham is really nice. Good schools, clean,safe. But if anything involves a shovel on behalf of the city it becomes a disaster.

There are two projects going on right now that seemed like 3-4 month projects max but are now over a year. One involves a 'pedestrian bridge' over US 31 that would connect the park with the swimming pool and the library. The "bridge" was set back in July after eons of promises (honestly IMO its a waste of time) over the road one weekend. What was supposed to be left was steps built to the bridge from either side. Okay, regardless of how long the project and been on the books it has 5 months.

The other one is trying to 'straighten out' a 1/2 mile -- at best road. Now, it was cut between some hills and as a creek at the bottom of the other side of the road. Project itself is legit as it is a busy road to get to the middle school and is a tad spooky at night.That one has been in work well over one year with no end in sight.

Kinda felt like I needed a little background before my question. The city of Vestavia Hills tries to absolve itself of any responsibility for the completion and ridiculous delays of the projects. They maintain these were grants from the state of Alabama and they have no say so in the matter.

I just find it hard to believe that if a city accepts grant money they have no say so in the construction and completion of a project. I would have thought they would have something to do with the contractors and getting the jobs done in a reasonable time. But,no, "there is nothing we can do. Our hands are tied."

That just sounds lame and that they do have some culpability. Are they correct?