South 11th Street Project Heads Toward Fall Start, With Sidewalks the Full Length

The South 11th Street realignment could break ground in late September or early October, Gadsden Director of Engineering Heath Williamson says. The 0.358-mile project adds sidewalks the full length, softens the sharp curve near James Martin Wildlife Park, and is expected to take 9 to 12 months.

GADSDEN, AL – The long-planned South 11th Street project could break ground this fall, with construction likely starting in late September or early October, Gadsden Director of Engineering Heath Williamson told GadsdenThrive.

The apparent low bid, from Lambert Contracting LLC at $2,148,030.24, is under review by the Alabama Department of Transportation for award. GadsdenThrive first reported the bid earlier this month alongside a larger U.S. 431 resurfacing job.

When will construction start?

“The low bid is currently being reviewed by ALDOT for award consideration,” Williamson said. “Construction typically starts within 60 days of the bid, which would place this project starting around late September/early October.”

The job is expected to take 9 to 12 months depending on weather. That timeline would carry the work through the winter and into next summer.

Nothing is final until ALDOT awards the contract. The work is listed as project STPSU-CRPGD-2815(256).

What part of the road is being rebuilt?

The project covers about 0.358 mile, running from near the Black Creek bridge to Randall Street.

Though the bid moved through the state letting process, South 11th Street is a City of Gadsden project run through the city’s Metropolitan Planning Organization. It appears in the state process because it uses federal money, which is why questions about scheduling go to the city rather than to ALDOT.

What changes for drivers?

The biggest change is a realignment just north of the entrance to James Martin Wildlife Park.

The change “is designed to increase the curve radius so the radius isn’t as sharp, which will also increase the line of sight for both drivers and pedestrians,” Williamson said. That matters on a stretch that carries park traffic.

Will there be sidewalks?

Sidewalks are included through the full length of the project.

An 8-foot-wide multi-use path will be extended on the west side, from the bridge over Black Creek to James Martin Wildlife Park. From the park to Randall Street, both the east and west sides will get a 5-foot sidewalk.

What the corridor looks like now

The stretch between the park and Randall Street carries no sidewalk on either side today. Walkers use the grass shoulder or the pavement itself.

On the west side, where the multi-use path is planned, mature trees stand close to the curb line, and survey flags were staked along that shoulder in early August. The east side runs to a wooded edge with no shoulder to speak of.

How will traffic be handled during construction?

Traffic will be routed onto a detour installed near the start of construction and kept in place until the new alignment is complete.

The roadway will then reopen, with the final stages of construction finished under traffic, Williamson said. The specific detour route has not yet been released.

Frequently asked questions

When does the South 11th Street project start?
Likely late September or early October 2026, pending ALDOT’s award of the contract.

How long will it take?
9 to 12 months, depending on weather.

What is being built?
A partial realignment of about a third of a mile of South 11th Street, plus widening, resurfacing, grading, drainage work and sidewalks the full length.

Who is doing the work?
Lambert Contracting LLC submitted the apparent low bid at $2,148,030.24. The contract has not been awarded.

Is South 11th Street a state or city project?
It is a City of Gadsden project run through the city’s MPO. It went through the state letting because it uses federal money.

Will the road close?
Traffic will be detoured until the new alignment is finished, then the road reopens while the remaining work is completed under traffic.

GadsdenThrive will confirm the ALDOT award and post the start date and detour route as they are set.