Sand Mountain Reporter

The U.S. 431 construction project to improve traffic flow and safety remains on schedule for completion by the end of the year despite the extended cold days of winter weather, an official said.

“The weather has affected us, but I think we can make it,” said David Nooney, president of R.E. Grills Construction in Birmingham. “We’ve had some additions and changes to the project that will extend our time a little bit, but we’re on schedule.”

Construction has moved into the south portion of Albertville from Alabama 75 to the Boaz city limits line at Wagner Drive. Friday, two sections of U.S. 431 north and south were limited to one lane with the familiar 1-mile break in between.

R.E. Grills Construction started work on the 13-mile project May 15. The improvements involve approximately 72 crossovers, which are being altered or lengthened. About a third of the crossovers will be completely removed.

The $8 million project extends from near the Alabama 205 intersection in Guntersville to the Etowah County line.

An Alabama Department of Transportation official said the addition of turn lanes is expected to reduce the stop-and-go traffic in the left lanes caused by drivers turning left into the crossovers.

Up to 28,000 vehicles per day travel the 13-mile stretch of U.S. 431 affected by the project, said an ALDOT official, citing traffic data.

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Serving Albertville and the Sand Mountain region

Publisher: Ben Shurett

1603 Progress Drive
Albertville, Alabama 35950

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