Alabama DOT, Hoover City Council propose widening of US 31

The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and the city council of Hoover, Ala., announced a plan to widen portions of US 31 near I-459 to alleviate traffic problems on the north-south route.

According to the project plan, — advanced Thursday night during a Hoover city council session — portions of US 31 between I-459 and Data Drive would expand from two lanes to three. Several islands along the highway would be modified or removed to allow for the expansion. 

The project would also create a second left turn lane at US 31 northbound onto I-459 heading south; this should prevent vehicles from backing up into through traffic, as they currently do.

Project planners estimate it will cost $800,000 to complete. ALDOT and the Hoover City Council would split the tab evenly at $400,000 each; the city would also pay for engineering costs. The city council would accrue funds via the gas tax.

Pending city approval, the expansion project could be finished by the spring of 2013.