U.S. 280, Alabama 119 intersection improvements awarded

The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is moving ahead with its next big project on U.S. 280. Within two years, residents who use the intersection at Cahaba Valley Road should find it easier to navigate.

According to ALDOT Division 3 Engineer Brian Davis, proposed upgrades to the U.S. 280 and Alabama Highway 119 intersection were let to contract Dec. 6.

Davis said the project entails increasing the width of Alabama 119 on the north side of U.S. 280 to Brook Highland Parkway from a two-lane road to a four-lane — a distance of .89 miles. A fifth drop lane will also be added running south toward the 280 intersection. This would increase the intersection to two left turn lanes from Cahaba Valley Road onto 280, and allow for two left turn lanes from 280 eastbound.

“These are pretty substantial improvements,” Davis said.

Davis said ALDOT is projecting the improvements will cost $4.8 million-$5.9 million, but added that a precise cost would not be known until bids had been reviewed.

When the project was first announced in February 2013, ALDOT Preconstruction Engineer Lance Taylor said that acquiring right-of-way property on the project was expected to cost $8 million. Construction and utility relocation costs were projected to push the total price as high as $18.5 million.

Davis said the department successfully acquired all property needed to complete the project.

ALDOT anticipates the improvements to require 310 working days to complete. Davis described a “working day” as a six-hour window where a contractor can work without being impeded by weather or temperature restrictions.

“Worst-case scenario, we generally expect the project to be complete by Dec. 1, 2015,” he said.