East Central Region Archives

Dec 02

Birmingham District mastering highway maintenance flexibility

District 31's maintenance team handles one of busiest sections of the state.

ALDOT’s Birmingham District team is defined by their undeniable flexibility.

Every day, hundreds of thousands of motorists pour through Jefferson County’s five interstates and countless other U.S. and Alabama highways.

That level of congestion and traffic flow requires the ability to adapt to adversity on a regular basis.

“There’s no telling how many times their…

Nov 19

Widened I-59 to open in Trussville early

The southbound half of the I-59 widening project in Trussville is set to open.

The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is opening the newly widened I-59 southbound lanes in Trussville just in time for the holiday shopping season.

Motorists can enjoy the improved 3.5-mile section between Chalkville Mountain Road and I-459 on starting Friday, November 21, 2025.

Originally scheduled to open by Thanksgiving, work progressed enough to expedite the…

Nov 05

ALDOT closing US-280 traffic at Pumphouse Road for bridge girder installation

ALDOT to shut down US-280 at Pumphouse Road to install new bridge girders.

The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is reaching a significant milestone in its ongoing US-280 widening project by setting the first girders for the new Pumphouse Road Bridge.

This work requires a total traffic closure for crews to safely install the 100-foot beams across the width of the highway.

Beginning at 11 p.m. on Friday,…

Nov 05

ALDOT reopens US-231 following extensive sinkhole repair in St. Clair County

US-231 reopened to traffic in St Clair County Tuesday evening following an extensive sinkhole repair.

The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) has reopened US-231 following extensive work to reinforce its foundation in St. Clair County following ongoing sinkhole impacts.

ALDOT contractors have finished excavating the site and filled it in with multiple layers of stone and geogrid material.

Closed Monday morning for the repair, the site reopened to traffic Tuesday…

Oct 28

Talladega District overcomes sinkholes under hands-on Administrator

One of the constant challenges District 45 crews must tackle develops below Talladega County’s roads.

“One thing that we have to deal with a lot around here is sinkholes, and, you know, a lot of counties don’t have that. Talladega in particular, a lot of limestone and everything,” ALDOT District 45 Administrator Stephen Blair said.

Oct 21

ALDOT to host a public involvement meeting in Homewood

ALDOT to hold Public Involvement meeting in Homewood about US-31 improvements

The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) will host a come-and-go style public involvement meeting to discuss a potential project on US-31 involving plans for access management, sidewalk improvements and resurfacing.

The access management upgrades are proposed for the section of US-31 between Old Montgomery Highway and Ventura Avenue.

The resurfacing would be carried out between…

Oct 15

New SR-50 bridge over Wind Creek open in Tallapoosa County

SR-50 bridge Wind Creek Tallapoosa County

The new SR-50 bridge over Wind Creek in Tallapoosa County is now open to traffic.

The bridge is located 2.5 miles east of Martin Dam, northwest of Reeltown.

Traffic is crossing the new SR-50 bridge over Wind Creek in Tallapoosa County.

Crews shifted traffic from the original 1952 span to its replacement on Friday, October…

Oct 09

Calera District adapts and overcomes to keep Shelby County moving

Travelers navigating the heart of Alabama are quite familiar with I-65 traffic.

Nearly 100,000 vehicles pass through the interstate’s Shelby County section every day.

Vacationing families on the way to the state’s sugar-white sandy beaches contribute to the congestion.

“We get a lot of traffic in the summertime. It is unreal. And there’s a wreck,…

Oct 02

Oneonta District never backs down from a challenge

State Highway Department inspectors were busy overseeing construction of the final section of I-65 near Warrior in late 1985.

Russell Taylor’s father, Glenn, was one of those veteran Alabama Highway Department employees at the heart of the historic project.

As a young boy, Taylor remembers how his dad’s work to keep Alabama moving inspired him.

Sep 24

Jefferson County’s first Diverging Diamond Interchange under construction

Diverging Diamond Interchange under construction in Jefferson County.

Construction is underway on Jefferson County’s first Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) in McCalla.

The $22M project will transform Exit 104 on I-59/20 at McAshan Drive.

The exit offers access to the Rock Mountain Lakes community along with the Jefferson Metropolitan Park.

Diverging Diamond Interchange construction underway at Exit 104 on I-59/20.

It is home to…