Southwest Region Archives

Apr 11

ALDOT’s Chris Blackwood channels creativity through art and engineering

Art has a way of bringing people together, or bridging gaps and forging connections. This is why ALDOT employee Chris Blackwood, a pre-construction engineer who works with the Southwest Region’s consultant management team, spends a great deal of his free time painting and drawing.

From infrastructure to inspiration

Engineers are often adept at transforming…

Apr 10

Public involvement hearing set for May 9 regarding traffic along McDonald Road, Three Notch-Kroner Road

The Alabama Department of Transportation will participate in a public involvement hearing sponsored by Mobile County from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on May 9, 2024, at Meadowlake Elementary School in Mobile. Through this hearing and its project website, ALDOT will receive input on options for relieving traffic congestion along McDonald Road and Three Notch-Kroner Road…

Apr 04

US-98 in Mobile County now open at Mississippi state line

Road signs at the intersection of US-98 and SR-158 Mobile County

Construction of the new US-98 connection to SR-158 at the Mississippi state line is now partially completed and reopened to traffic.

Motorists will no longer need to take previously posted detours. Barricades and detour signage along the project have been removed.

The highly anticipated opening of US-98 at this location will complement the recent…

Apr 02

Interstate widening projects taking shape in south Alabama

Making travel safer, faster and more efficient for both passenger and commercial traffic are the goals of interstate roadway projects. In the southern part of Alabama, current widening projects include I-10 and I-65.

The latest ALDOT interstate project is the widening of approximately 5 miles of both east and westbound lanes of I-10 from March…

Mar 27

ATRIP-II grant funding safety improvements on US-43

Car driving down US-43 at night with the new LED Light fixtures in the background lighting up the roadway.

In 2022, the Washington County Commission was awarded an Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program-II (ATRIP-II) grant to construct safety improvements, including new lighting at the intersection of US-43 and SR-56. The ATRIP-II program is designed to rehabilitate and improve transportation infrastructure by funding projects of local interest, proposed by one or more local governments,…

Mar 25

Travel advisory for I-65 bridge replacement over Sepulga River

Sepulga River bridge replacement over I-65

As work continues on the I-65 bridge replacement project in Conecuh County, drivers should expect to see reduced speed limits. Motorists should also expect possible daily left lane closures in each direction between March 25 and March 28 from approximately 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Motorist should stay alert and watch for construction vehicles entering…

Mar 19

ALDOT Southwest Region to resurface about 82 miles of roadway

Making roads safer to drive is the Alabama Department of Transportation’s mission as it continues with its Federal-aid Maintenance Resurfacing Program statewide. Using ALDOT’s Pavement Preservation Policy, Area employees evaluate the condition of pavement near them and make recommendations to the ALDOT Deputy Director of Operations who approves projects for each fiscal year.

ALDOT’s Southwest…

Mar 06

ALDOT to resurface portion of Lott Road (SR-217) in Mobile county

A project to resurface a portion of Lott Rd (SR-217) from US-45 to Lakeview Ridge Lane south of Georgetown begins today.

The scope of the project includes 12 miles (from mile post 0 to mile post 12.5) of planing, paving, and striping operations. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant sidewalk improvements will also be made as…

Feb 28

ALDOT, Fish and Wildlife biologists team up to protect the gopher tortoise

If you live in the South, the tortoise you see trying to cross the road may be more than a symbol of patience. Gopher tortoises are a species of high conservation concern in Alabama and are listed as “threatened” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

ALDOT knows the importance of keeping the gopher…

Feb 24

Bankhead Tunnel reopened at 4 p.m. on Saturday

Traffic flows through the East Bankhead Tunnel Portal on February 6, 2024

The Bankhead Tunnel in Mobile reopened to traffic at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24. The landmark tunnel was closed during the prior week for electrical and other systems upgrades. It was originally slated to reopen on Friday. Feb. 23, but unforeseen mechanical issues caused a delay.

Night closures planned

Night-time travelers can expect…