Work is underway on the long-awaited Homewood DDI project.
The $23M Diverging Diamond Interchange will upgrade traffic flow at Exit 256 on I-65 at Lakeshore Parkway (SR-149).
The contract was awarded to Gillespie Construction, with an 80/20 funding partnership with the City of Homewood.
ALDOT is providing $18.4M in federal STP and STPAA Funds, while Homewood is investing the remaining $4.6M.
East Central Region Engineer DeJarvis Leonard emphasized collaborative relationships with local partners are vital to delivering such significant transportation improvements.
“ALDOT is thrilled about beginning construction on the second Diverging Diamond Interchange in the Birmingham Region,” Leonard said. “We believe the design provides an efficient flow of traffic in congested areas and we’re thankful for our continued relationship with the City of Homewood.”
“I’m excited to see this project come to fruition after years of hard work by former mayors, council members, and our Engineering Department working closely with ALDOT,” Homewood Mayor Jennifer Andress said. “This new interchange is a major investment in Homewood’s future, and it will serve the continued growth of the Lakeshore corridor for decades to come.”
How Diverging Diamond Interchanges work
As drivers approach I-65 on Lakeshore Parkway, the DDI design will allow traffic to gently transition from the right side to the left and then back again at the other end of the bridge.
Since traffic travels on the left side, motorists make all left turns without having to cross opposing traffic.
Federal Highway Administration research shows DDI’s are more cost effective, efficient and safe.
- Lower construction cost by up 75 percent
- Reduce conflict points by nearly 50 percent
- Increase efficiency by as much as 30 percent
“The diverging diamond interchange at Lakeshore Drive and I-65 is a transformational improvement for safety, mobility, and access in one of Homewood’s most important commercial corridors,” Homewood City Manager Cale Smith said. “We appreciate ALDOT’s partnership and commitment to delivering a project that improves traffic flow today while positioning the city for continued economic growth.”
New I-65 southbound ramps
In addition to that upgraded Lakeshore Parkway flow, the design creates a better path for I-65 southbound travelers.
The new southbound off ramp will feature a more direct path to SR-149, connecting further east than its current alignment.
Entering I-65 south, drivers take a straighter path on the exit’s southwest corner, instead of the current loop to the north.
The project will also include a barricaded path along the median to allow pedestrians to safely navigate the interchange.
Motorists should expect temporary lane closures and shifts during construction, which should last through Fall 2027.
Jefferson County’s first DDI should open later this year at Exit 104 on I-59/20 in McCalla.
The proposed Exit 9 on I-459 in Hoover will utilize the same design.
