BESSEMER, Ala. — The Alabama Department of Transportation has begun work on a $19 million infrastructure project aimed at improving connectivity and reducing congestion between two major interstate corridors in the Birmingham metro area.
The project, developed in partnership with the city of Bessemer and Jefferson County, will connect Morgan Road directly to Lakeshore Parkway, creating a more efficient route between Interstate 459 and Interstate 65. Construction is expected to continue through the end of 2027.
Once completed, the new alignment will provide motorists with a more direct route between I-459’s Exit 6 and the Lakeshore Parkway interchange with I-65 in Homewood, reducing travel time and simplifying navigation across the area.
“Not only is it going to improve traffic flow in the area, you won’t have to zigzag to get from Morgan Road to Lakeshore Parkway, but you’re also eliminating some of the chances for crashes,” Jon Paepcke, the Alabama Department of Transportation east-central region spokesperson, told AL.com.
Transportation officials say the improvements come at a critical time as the corridor continues to experience increased traffic tied to industrial and logistics growth. Major companies operating in the area include Lowe’s, Carvana, Dollar General and FedEx Ground.
According to ALDOT, State Route 150 currently sees nearly 20,000 vehicles per day, underscoring the need for capacity upgrades and improved traffic flow.
The project scope includes widening Morgan Road south to Cumberland Road, as well as expanding SR-150 between Morgan and Shannon Roads. These upgrades are expected to reduce congestion and improve access to nearby commercial and industrial facilities.
In addition to roadway expansion, the project includes replacing a 93-year-old bridge over Little Shades Creek, located east of Lakeshore Parkway. The bridge replacement is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026.
The new roadway alignment will also connect to a planned Diverging Diamond Interchange at Lakeshore Parkway and I-65 in Homewood, which is expected to open to traffic by the end of 2027. This type of interchange is designed to improve traffic efficiency and reduce conflict points, enhancing safety for drivers.
“There’s a lot of moving parts in this project. It’s just not one widening project or one intersection alignment,” Paepcke said.
Officials emphasized that the combination of roadway expansion, bridge replacement and interchange integration will create a more cohesive transportation network, supporting both commuter traffic and regional economic activity.
Originally reported by Alaina Bookman in Al. Com
.png)
.png)
