Thanks to a recent allocation from the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program-II (ATRIP-II) infrastructure improvement initiative, Huntsville drivers on Hwy. 431 will soon enjoy an easier commute each day.

Governor Ivey’s office announced that over $40 million would be awarded to Alabama cities as part of ATRIP-II. Funding for the program is made available through the Rebuild Alabama Act, which will use gas tax revenue from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) for road projects.

As a result, the City of Huntsville will receive $1.35 million to widen 1,600 feet of U.S. 431 (Governors Drive) from east of Franklin Street to east of Bassett Street. The City will not be required to contribute matching funds as part of the road project.

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Mayor Tommy Battle directed his administration to work with state leaders to steer the project through the competitive grant process.

“The City is grateful to the members of Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program Committee, especially committee members Rep. Rex Reynolds and Sen. Arthur Orr of the Madison County delegation, for their assistance in securing these funds that will help the citizens of Huntsville,” Mayor Battle said.

This improvement will significantly improve traffic during peak travel times. Because the additional eastbound lane added during the previous widening of Governors Drive stops at California Street and doesn’t continue through the intersection with an extended merge length, the outside lane is not used during peak travel times due to the traffic merging well before reaching California Street.

“This project would extend the outside eastbound lane through the California Street intersection and provide a more than adequate merge lane to accommodate additional capacity and create a smoother traffic flow during peak demands,” Huntsville Director of Urban & Economic Development Shane Davis said.

The 32 road projects across the state were selected by the ATRIP-II Committee created by the Rebuild Alabama Act. Some projects are expected to be under contract during the 2022 fiscal year, but all projects are required to move forward within two years of the awarding of funds.

“While our work is far from over,” Ivey said in a statement, “we have made significant progress in improving our roads and bridges thanks to Rebuild Alabama. I look forward to continue putting every single penny of these funds to good use for the people of Alabama.”