Beltline Road repaving to affect drivers
The project will likely take several months to complete and will include milling the pavement, resurfacing the road and adding new traffic stripes and pavement markers, according to Alabama Department of Transportation North Region spokesperson Seth Burkett.
"It's standard maintenance resurfacing," Burkett said. "This is about ensuring the longevity of the pavement and making for a smoother ride for the traveling public."
Burkett said the project should be mostly completed, if not wholly completed, by the end of 2025.
Work will occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday nights through Friday mornings.
"The stuff that really impacts traffic will primarily be done at nighttime, so as to minimize daytime impact," Burkett said.
This stretch of Beltline Road can see between 30,000 to 40,000 vehicles per day, according to ALDOT.
With most work happening at night, Burkett expects evening and pre-rush hour morning drivers will experience the biggest traffic impact. He recommends travelers wanting real-time updates on lane closures and traffic check algotraffic.com or the ALGO Traffic app.
Work will be split into two segments. It will begin with the section from U.S. 31 to Danville Road. Then the northern segment from Danville Road to Gordon Terry Parkway will be repaved.
"At least one lane in each direction will remain open at all times," Burkett said. "But I would expect at least a single lane closure if they're out there milling or paving at night."
The project will cost $3.35 million, according to Burkett. Grayson Carter and Son Contracting Inc., an Athens-based company, will complete the work.
This is a standard job for the company according to Steve Turner, the paving and milling manager. He expects traffic to be affected for a minimum of a month.
As far as delays to the project's timeline, Turner said the weather could play the biggest role.
"Everybody knows lately just how much rain we have had," Turner said. "If that trend continues, then it's definitely going to cause that job to be extended, but we hope that rain is just about over with."
Turner encourages the public's cooperation to keep the area safe during the repaving process.
"We ask for the public's patience as we're working," Turner said. "We want our people to come home safe, so try to obey all the traffic controls, the signs, and the people that are out there guiding traffic control... . We're definitely not trying to impede your day, so we don't want to get hurt in the process."
— GraciAnn.Goodin@DecaturDaily.com or 256-340-2437
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