Two Gadsden-area road projects move toward construction

GADSDEN — Two road projects that will affect Gadsden-area drivers are moving toward construction.

The Alabama Department of Transportation has advanced plans for improvements on U.S. 431 and on South 11th Street. The U.S. 431 project covers about five miles from the Calhoun County line to Banks Street and calls for safety widening, micro-milling, resurfacing and new traffic striping. That route is a major connection between Gadsden and Calhoun County, so the work is aimed at both smoother pavement and safer travel.

The second project is smaller but more involved. It covers about a third of a mile of South 11th Street, from near the Black Creek bridge to Randall Street, and includes partial realignment, widening, drainage work, new paving, sidewalks and striping. The public notice for that job allows 140 working days to finish.

Both projects recently went out for bids. The apparent low bidders, contract amounts and construction start dates had not been finalized as of this report, and GadsdenThrive is not naming a winning contractor until ALDOT confirms the results.

For nearby residents and businesses, the projects could eventually mean lane closures, detours and construction noise, along with better roads once the work is done. GadsdenThrive will report the bid results, award dates and any traffic plans as ALDOT releases them.