Gov. Kay Ivey announced today the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) will expand a portion of I-65 in north Shelby County from four lanes to six lanes.
In a statement, Ivey said the move will help the state both in terms of economic development and meeting the state's current infrastructure needs.
The project will add lanes to I-65 from Exit 238 in Alabaster to Exit 242 in Pelham, making the 3.5-mile stretch of four-lane interstate into a six-lane roadway. Additionally, the shoulder space along both the northbound and southbound lanes will be increased to easily allow more lanes to be added in the future.
According to figures from the governor's office, 93,000 vehicles per day travel that section of roadway, with over 12,000 of those being tractor-trailers.
ALDOT will take bids on the plan before the end of the year. The project is anticipated to finish in two years, with an estimated cost of between $50 million to $60 million. The chosen contractor will be notified by February 1, 2018, with construction to begin by the end of February 2018.
