Road closures, detours and orange traffic barrels have become part of the daily commute with major road projects taking place at some of the most traveled sections of Tuscaloosa.
With the fall semester quickly approaching, here’s a look at several major projects to help students, faculty, staff and visitors navigate their journey around the city and beyond.
Lurleen Wallace Boulevard
The Lurleen Wallace Boulevard project will add turning lanes and move parallel parking spots to side streets to better accommodate traffic flow. Sidewalk extensions to the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, along with additional landscaping, will enhance pedestrian safety. Two lanes will be open at all times Thursday evening through Sunday evening when UA has a home football game. The project is scheduled to be complete by early 2020. For more information about the project, visit www.LurleenProject.com.
10th Avenue
The 10th Avenue project will add a shared-use path for bicycles and pedestrians to the east side of 10th Avenue along 29th Street to Hammond Park. The project also calls for the addition of a sidewalk, and street lighting and landscaping improvements. Road work along 10th Avenue is scheduled to be complete next month.
Interstate 20/59
Lanes are being added to I-20/59 from Exit 77 east of Tuscaloosa to Exit 73 (McFarland Boulevard), one of the most used exits to the city. In addition, the I-20/59 bridge over McFarland Boulevard is undergoing renovations. Two lanes will be open in both directions during the project. The anticipated completion date is December 2020.
Also on I-20/59, crews are working to resurface the road from milepost 81 to milepost 87, which is west of the Mercedes-Benz Plant. Crews will work on the project daily from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. with the exception of Thursday evening through Sunday evening when UA has a home football game. The resurfacing project is expected to finish this fall.
Those traveling from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport to Tuscaloosa should be aware that a portion of I-20/59 through downtown Birmingham is closed. For more information on the project and alternative routes, visit www.5920bridge.com.