SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
The federal government and the state of Alabama will jointly fund a $1.5 million study to evaluate the need for improvements at the Interstate 565 interchange with Memorial Parkway in Huntsville.
According to Madison County Commission Chairman Mac McCutcheon, who also chairs the Huntsville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the cost of the interchange improvements could reach $300 million. McCutcheon shared this estimate in an interview with The Huntsville Times.
The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) will conduct the assessment, with $300,000 of the cost funded by the state and the remaining $1.2 million covered by the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration.
“This is a good step forward,” McCutcheon told The Huntsville Times. “It aligns with the MPO’s primary priorities. It’s a project we’ve planned for, and I’m glad to see progress starting in this area.”
City of Huntsville Urban and Economic Development Director Shane Davis stated during an MPO meeting earlier this month that the project has been on the radar of both city officials and Mayor Tommy Battle.
“All intersections in that area are rated F,” McCutcheon added. “The need is evident and justifiable. Our focus now is on securing ALDOT’s funding commitment to move this project to our active list. Having ALDOT conduct this study is a significant step forward.”
The study, approved by the MPO board, is slated to begin on March 1, 2025.
Additional Infrastructure Projects Approved
At the same meeting, the MPO also approved several other transportation projects, some of which are not part of ALDOT’s current $389 million project list.
Holmes Avenue Project: Starting April 1, 2025, this $30 million project will resurface Holmes Avenue from Spragins Street to Sparkman Drive, incorporating bike lanes, sidewalks, and other improvements. Federal funding from the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration will cover $21.6 million, with the City of Huntsville contributing $8.3 million in matching funds (Huntsville MPO meeting records).
Bethel Road Project: A $1.2 million lane-widening and resurfacing project on Bethel Road from Mooresville Road to Alabama 251 will include drainage upgrades. Federal funds of $960,000, provided through a congressional earmark, will be matched by $240,000 from Limestone County (Huntsville MPO meeting records).
Caldwell Lane and Greenway Extension: An $800,000 sidewalk and greenway extension along Caldwell Lane and Big Cove Creek Greenway will also begin in April 2025. An MPO Transportation Alternative Program grant will fund $640,000, with the City of Huntsville providing a $160,000 match (Huntsville MPO meeting records).
These projects demonstrate a coordinated effort by federal, state, and local officials to address Huntsville’s infrastructure needs as the area continues to grow rapidly.
