The Alabama Department of Transportation announced in a press release that the second phase of I-20 resurfacing will begin with the closing of I-20 west bound at midnight on Sunday.
Press release from ALDOT: A project to improve Interstate 20 from I-59 in Birmingham to State Route 4 (US 78) in Leeds continues as the Alabama Department of Transportation announces lane closures on I-20 West to perform Pavement Reconstruction in Jefferson County.
Beginning Monday July 8 at 12:01 a.m., weather permitting Phase III of the project will close the westbound lanes of I-20 from exit 136 (I-20/I-459 Interchange) to exit 130 (I-20/I-59 Inter and is expected to last approximately 90 days. To avoid lengthy travel delays, motorists are encouraged to use the signed local detours: Motorist wishing to take I-20 West should take I-459 North to Exit 33-A to I-59 South.
A $30,000 per day incentive/disincentive is included in the contract with the bonus to the contractor calculated upon completion.
About 74,000 vehicles travel each day past the Birmingham airport and continue on I-20 to the U.S. 78 Exit that carries you to the Leeds Retail Outlet. The concrete and asphalt have worn out due to the heavy volume of traffic and heavy loads by large trucks and is being replaced.
The Alabama Department of Transportation’s $38.6 million project will rebuild approximately 9.8 miles of the interstate in both directions.
The expected completion date for the entire project is early Winter 2013. Motorists are requested to consider adjusting arrival/departure times, observe work zone speed limits and other work zone signs, and use extreme caution in this area. ALDOT thanks motorists for their patience during this construction to improve Alabama’s roadways.
Local officials feared the worst when I-20 eastbound closed, but the traffic problems were light. The first phase of the project finished ahead of schedule.