It’s been three years since construction along U.S. Highway 82 and McFarland Boulevard in Northport began, and officials say the $33.91 project is almost at the finish line.
The Alabama Department of Transportation announced Dec. 2 that the major 2.77-mile project along U.S. Highway 82 from State Route 69 to Rice Mine Road is mostly complete. This construction work marks the first major Rebuild Alabama Act project in Tuscaloosa County, according to an ALDOT news release.
The $33.91 million project along U.S. Highway 82 from State Road 69 to Rice Mine Road features an additional travel lane in each direction, better access management to businesses and a shared-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians.
“This project represents a significant investment in Northport and Tuscaloosa,” said Wallace McAdory, West Central Region Engineer in a news release. “By expanding capacity, improving access and adding a shared-use path, we’re not just easing congestion — we’re building a safer, more connected community and supporting the local economy.”
The project is expected to improve traffic flow, boost safety and enhance local business along U.S. Highway 82. The roadway now features an additional travel lane in each direction, better access to businesses and a shared-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians, the release states.
ALDOT says that although the U.S. Highway 82 project is mostly completed, minor work remains. The contractor will place permanent traffic striping and finish other various items of work while ALDOT will optimize traffic signals.
Funding for the project came from the six-cent per gallon gas tax increase approved by the Alabama Legislature in 2019.
The Rebuild Alabama Act requires ALDOT to establish an annual program setting aside a minimum of $10 million off the top of the state’s share of the new gas tax revenue for local projects, according to the governor’s office.
Gov. Kay Ivey called the stretch of U.S. Highway 82 “one of Alabama’s busiest four-lane roads” when the project was announced. At the time, ALDOT officials estimated the road was used by about 50,000 vehicles each day.
During construction, ALDOT kept at least two travel lanes open in each direction from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, though workers did reduce access to one lane on weekends. The only exception was when the University of Alabama’s football season started up. Roadway closures were not allowed from Thursday evening through Sunday evening when the Crimson Tide had a home football game.
Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: How a $33.91 million project will improve traffic in Tuscaloosa County