Commuters are expected to get relief on Interstate 565 as early as next fall.
That will not be the case for residents using U.S. 72 to get to work in the Huntsville metro. Motorists will be dealing with gridlock on that major thoroughfare into the next decade according to a report given by the Alabama Department of Transportation to the Huntsville Area Metropolitan Organization last week.
Overall, more than $388 million in road projects are under construction or design in the Huntsville metro area, with the cost continuing to rise on the U.S. 72 widening. The projects are being paid for through a combination of federal and state dollars.
The cost for the U.S. 72 widening project is now expected to soar above $90 million. Work on the project from Providence Main to County Line Road will be done in three phases.
Phase one of the widening project is expected to begin next fiscal year. The phase will consist of work from Memorial Gardens to Providence Main. The draft of the environmental assessment documents is expected to be submitted soon. Plans are 90% complete. The cost of the phase is expected to be $13 million.
Phase two from Walnut Street to Memorial Gardens is expected to begin in Fiscal 2028. Preliminary engineering work for the project has been authorized. ALDOT is working with a consultant on the scope of work for the project. The cost of the second phase is $36 million.
Construction is not expected to begin on phase three of the project from County Line Road to Walnut Street until Fiscal 2030. Preliminary engineering work is expected to start later this year. The cost of the phase is expected to be $38.2 million.
I 565 widening
The $41.8 million widening of I 565 from County Line Road to Wall Triana Highway is about 10% complete, with completion set for fall of 2026. Additional lanes in each direction are being added in the median.
The project includes the widening of two sets of bridges, one at Bradford Creek just west of exit 9, and the other at Intergraph Way and the Norfolk Southern Railroad east of exit 9.
Contractor Wiregrass Construction is working on the west end of the project.
Other projects
- The $44 million North Memorial Parkway project at Mastin Lake Road project is 40% complete. The work consists of improvements from Sparkman Drive to Winchester Road including an overpass at Mastin Lake Road.
- The $43 million Northern Bypass from Pulaski Pike to U.S. 231-431 is about 25% complete. Utility work is ongoing, Grading and drainage construction work is underway.
- The second phase of the $42 million Martin Road project from Zierdt Road to Laracy drive is about 20% complete. Utility relocation is underway. Bridge foundation construction is ongoing. Grading and drainage construction is underway east of Bradford Creek.
- Preliminary engineering is underway for the $30 million Arsenal East Connector which will alleviate Redstone Arsenal congestion. The project will run from Bob Wallace Avenue to Gate 10 beyond Patton Road. Construction is expected to begin in Fiscal 2028.
- The $28 million Winchester Road project from Dominion Circle to Naugher Road is expected to start in Fiscal 2026. Plans are 90% complete. Utility relocation design work is expected to begin soon.
- The $20.8 million Blake Botton Road project is expected to begin this fiscal year. Plans and rights-of-way acquisition are complete. Utility relocation work is underway. Madison County will put the project out for bid later this year.
- Plans are 85% complete for the $15 million access management project on U.S. 231 between Weatherly Road and Hobbs Road. Rights-of-way acquisition is expected to begin soon with a project start date in Fiscal 2026.
- Plans are 85% complete for the $13.5 million Jeff Road project, which includes additional lanes from south of Capshaw Road to north of Douglas Road. Environmental documents have been submitted for the project. Rights-of-way acquisition and construction are expected to start next fiscal year.
- The $10 million Alabama 53 widening from Taurus Drive to Harvest Road is expected to begin later this fiscal year. The plans are complete for the project. Rights-of-way acquisition is ongoing. Utility relocation is also underway.
- The $4.2 million Madison Boulevard project from Westchester Road to Flagstone Drive is 80% complete.
- Work is underway on $3.7 million in intersection improvements on Alabama 53 at Harvest, McKee and Old Railroad Bed roads. The project is 65% complete.
