The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is moving forward with a series of interstate construction and improvement projects across the state, ranging from major capacity improvements and bridge replacements to resurfacing and reconstruction work.
The projects include work on I-85 in Montgomery, I-20/59 in Tuscaloosa, I-459 in Hoover and I-59 in the Trussville and northeast Alabama areas.
I-85 Expansion Under Way in Montgomery
One of the larger projects is getting under way on I-85 in Montgomery, where ALDOT is expanding the interstate from two lanes to three lanes in each direction between Taylor Road and Jenkins Creek.
According to ALDOT, main construction was scheduled to begin Oct. 5. The approximately $71 million project was awarded to APAC-Alabama Inc. of Birmingham and is expected to take about three and a half years.
The project also includes replacement of four bridges — two over Chantilly Parkway and two over the Kershaw Railroad. Improvements to Chantilly Parkway will include wider lanes and an additional left-turn lane for motorists accessing I-85 South. Initial utility relocation work will require rolling roadblocks on I-85.
ALDOT also is implementing temporary traffic changes at the Chantilly Parkway interchange. Westbound motorists seeking I-85 South will be directed to Arrowhead Drive to make a U-turn before returning to the entrance ramp, while eastbound traffic seeking I-85 North will use the existing U-turn at Eastchase Parkway.
Resurfacing I-20/59 in Tuscaloosa
In Tuscaloosa, ALDOT has begun a 2.53-mi. nighttime resurfacing project on I-20/59 between the area near Exit 68 and the I-359 interchange.
According to ALDOT, the approximately $2.68 million project was awarded to S.T. Bunn Construction Company and is expected to continue for about three months, weather permitting.
Closures will not be allowed on Saturdays when the University of Alabama has a home football game.
I-459 Resurfacing Continues in Hoover
ALDOT also is continuing a 3.2-mi. resurfacing project on I-459 in Hoover, extending from south of SR-150 to north of U.S.-31.
According to ALDOT, the project includes micro-milling, resurfacing, guardrail installation, concrete cleaning and traffic striping. The overall project is expected to be completed by spring 2027, if not sooner.
ALDOT recommends motorists use SR-150 between U.S.-31 and Exit 10 as an alternate route when ramps are closed.
I-59 Improvements Continue in Northeast Alabama
Further north, ALDOT recently opened newly widened I-59 northbound lanes in Trussville, adding a third lane between I-459 and Chalkville Mountain Road.
According to ALDOT, nearly 63,000 motorists travel the 3.5-mi. section each day. The approximately $70 million project remains under construction, with final paving, grading, signage and resurfacing work still to be completed. Overall completion is scheduled for spring 2027.
ALDOT also recently opened another reconstructed four-mile segment of I-59 northbound between Hammondville and Sulphur Springs in DeKalb County. The $41 million project is part of a larger effort to replace deteriorated I-59 pavement between Hammondville and the Georgia state line.
According to ALDOT, the agency has awarded $239.2 million across six contracts since 2020 to reconstruct and rehabilitate I-59 in DeKalb and Etowah counties. The work has placed 39 mi. of reconstructed roadway into service, with another 21 mi. under construction or under contract.
For more information, visit dot.state.al.us
