Never be surprised by a road project again: ALDOT launches new site to keep public up to date

It’s happened to all of us. One day you’re taking the same drive to work as you always do and the next day, there are orange cones and flashing lights adding an hour to your commute.

Well the Alabama Department of Transportation is trying to alleviate some of that frustration by making sure everyone can stay up to date. ALDOT has launched its very own news hub which will provide updates on:

• Road projects
• Traffic conditions
• Highway safety tips
• How to get involved

“We believe this new initiative will help people stay better informed of the projects designed to enhance quality of life and economic success across the state.”

~ Tony Harris, Alabama Department of Transportation Media and Community Relations Bureau Chief

We took the new site for a spin and checked out some of the tools available on day one.

The latest road projects

The first thing you may want to check out when you visit the new site is what construction is happening near you. You can click Projects & Programs at the top navigation bar where ALDOT provides a state map separated into five regions you can click on.

• North
• West Central
• East Central
• Southwest
• Southeast

We decided to take a closer look at the West Central region of the state to find out more. ALDOT provides a list of projects in the region with links to more information on each project.

A bridge deck repair and guardrail installation for eastbound lanes of Interstate 20/59 in Tuscaloosa is already underway and is expected to be completed this summer. Meanwhile, a resurfacing project closer to the state line in Sumter County is expected to begin this month and finish up by the fall.

ALDOT also has a section title “Featured Projects” where the Jasper bridge replacement plan is located. The page provides details on the project including:

• Projected cost
• Roads impacted
• Projected completion date
• Temporary traffic restrictions during construction

Public involvement

ALDOT has also provided quick access to the department’s public involvement page. You can find ways to give your own comments and input on any of the projects across the state.

There is a full calendar that shows when in-person meetings are and when public comments can be submitted online. Public comments are currently being accepted for an I-65 project in Alabaster that would add more lanes and replace bridges.

You can click on any of the projects on the list and find more details including:

• Maps
• Video presentations
• Other public comments
• Contact information for the project

What else would you like to see from ALDOT’s new site? Let us know on social media and tag us @TheBamaBuzz, @BhamNow, or @HvilleBlast!