SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
The I-65 Tennessee River Bridges project, valued at nearly $24 million, is set to commence, bringing anticipated nighttime lane closures, as announced by the Alabama Department of Transportation on Wednesday.
Securing the contract with a bid of $23.7 million, Cekra is the appointed contractor for this project. The initiative aims to undertake the cleaning, painting, and repair of concrete and structural steel on the 50-year-old bridges connecting Morgan and Limestone counties. The extensive project is estimated to span approximately 2 1/2 years, according to the agency.
Cekra is currently in the process of staging for the upcoming project, and the Department of Transportation has outlined the necessity for nighttime lane closures between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., from Sunday evenings through Friday mornings. These closures are essential for the installation of rigging, with daytime lane closures not expected until March.
During the daytime closures, specific activities such as concrete deck repairs and asphalt widening on the bridge approaches will be prioritized. Advanced notice of lane closures and potential detours will be communicated to motorists through message boards on the interstate.
While many phases of the project may not require lane closures, the ALDOT advises caution as shoulder closures, lane shifts, and reductions in lane width—conditions expected throughout much of the initiative— may impact traffic flow. To navigate the construction period effectively, motorists are encouraged to plan for additional travel time, consider alternate routes, check real-time traffic conditions via al- gotraffic.com or the ALGO Traffic App before embarking on their journeys, and stay updated on project developments by following ALDOT North Region on Twitter @ALDOT_NRegion.
