The Alabama Department of Transportation’s East Central Region will host a public involvement meeting on July 16, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. The public is invited to discuss and comment on the Statewide Transportation Plan (SWTP). Comments received during the meeting will help shape Alabama’s next Statewide Transportation Plan.
What is the SWTP and why does it matter?
The SWTP evaluates the current transportation system and identifies improvement and maintenance strategies from now through 2050 to help meet the state’s economic development, transportation and sustainability goals. The plan helps guide how transportation dollars are invested over the next 20 years. It helps identify current and future transportation needs and priorities and supports investments that improve safety, mobility and economic growth. Alabama’s transportation infrastructure includes the highway system, transit and all rail lines, bicycle and pedestrian operations, freight operations, airports and waterways.
Transportation planning decisions can affect residents in many ways, including:
- Safer roads and bridges
- Reduced congestion
- Better freight movement that supports jobs and businesses
- Improved hurricane evacuation routes
- Airport improvements that support economic development
- Better access for walking, biking and transit where appropriate
Preserving existing infrastructure before it deteriorates
Why public input matters.
Public input is a critical part of the planning process because it helps ALDOT identify transportation needs, challenges and priorities that may not be evident through data and engineering studies alone.
This meeting is an informal open house format. Representatives of ALDOT will be present for any concerns and questions. Provisions will be made to receive your comments at the meeting.
Public input gathered during the meeting will help identify transportation priorities and future needs in the East Central Region.
Anyone with disabilities needing special assistance should contact ALDOT at (205) 327-4978 at least five business days before the meeting and specify the type of assistance needed.
The East Central Region transportation planning meeting will be held at the following location:
ALDOT East Central Region Training Building
908 Bankhead Highway, West
Birmingham, Alabama 35205
The East Central Region includes the following counties: Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Jefferson, Randolph, Tallapoosa, Shelby and St. Clair.
