Progress continues on Alabama’s Interstate as the Alabama Department of Transportation resurfaces approximately 10 miles of I-20 from I-59 in Birmingham to State Route 4 (US 78) in Leeds.

Phase II of the project which closed the eastbound lanes of I-20 from the I-20/59 Interchange (exit 130 to exit 136) is now completed and open to traffic.

Plans are to begin work on the westbound lanes in the near future and details will be forthcoming with a detour route to be used.  A $30,000 per day incentive/disincentive is included in the contract with the bonus to the contractor calculated upon completion.       

Plans were to do asphalt patching repairs on both eastbound and westbound lanes of I-20, which involved having various lane closures from the I-20/ I-459 Interchange to Leeds Exit (milepost 140). Following the patching of both the eastbound and westbound lanes, they were milled for slope correction and paved with asphalt binder, asphalt wearing surface and then be restriped.

About 74,000 vehicles travel each day past the Birmingham airport and continue on I-20 to the U.S. 78 Exit. The concrete and asphalt have worn out due to the heavy volume of traffic and heavy loads by large trucks.

The Alabama Department of Transportation’s $38.6 million project will rebuild 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 using alternate routes, adjust 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.