ALDOT plans major road work in the spring on I-65 and Red Mtn. Expressway
With the temperatures heating up, road construction crews are preparing for major projects this spring.
By July 4th, crews should finish up the final surfacing of the Red Mountain Expressway. Drivers we talked to say it's much easier to maneuver now with the extra merging lane. The concrete median was put in place before the World Games.
ALDOT leaders say the weather didn't cooperate to finish the project last year. Work will be done at night starting in mid-May so there won't be rush hour delays.
"I feel totally safer," remarked driver Jan Casey who works in the area. She says it's much easier to merge onto the expressway now.
On I-65 ALDOT is planning two major projects for the end of April. Crews will resurface the asphalt from Chilton County to Alabaster along with the stretch of I-65 from Highway 31 to University.
ALDOT's East Central Region Engineer Dejarvis Leonard says they hope to eliminate the bumpy ride by repairing the concrete slabs. "This is not an ultimate fix, but this will get us through until we come up with a plan to replace those slabs," said Leonard.
Modifying a ramp at I-20 and the 59 split is also a priority. Leonard explains Exit 130 will close. Exit 130A will be extended so you can turn both left and right with two lanes. This should ease the back up going out of town in the afternoon and evening hours.
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As for the long complained about interstate lighting problems, Leonard says lighting from Tallapoosa to Airport Boulevard is back functioning. A project planned for I-459 to Chalkville Mountain Road includes redoing the lights.
Copper theft will no longer be an issue. "We've gone to aluminum which is not as valuable," explained Leonard. A new design also makes it harder for thieves to break into the light boxes.
But drivers like Todd Kelly are still frustrated. "If you're getting off 65, the ramp is so short and there's no lights. It's scary," said Kelly.
Leonard says their focus remains on fixing those lights at the interchanges.
