All SR-20 traffic to detour to Pine Street and Dr. Hicks Boulevard
Drivers can expect some changes to traffic flow on US-43/US-72/Mitchell Boulevard and SR-20 in Florence as a $7.2 million bridge replacement project enters its second phase.
With the northbound side of the new bridge over SR-20 substantially complete, contractor Miller & Miller will now begin demolishing and replacing the remainder of the old bridge on the southbound side.
That will mean some changes to the work zone and routing of traffic through the area. ALDOT anticipates these changes taking place following morning rush Tuesday, Oct. 20, weather permitting.
In addition to the continued closure of SR-20 under the bridge, the contractor must now close the US-43 southbound/US-72 westbound intersection with SR-20.
All traffic traveling to and from SR-20 will use the detour — SR-20 to Pine Street to West Dr. Hicks Boulevard to US-43/US-72 and vice versa.
US-43 northbound/US-72 eastbound traffic will continue to use the diversion set up during the first phase of the project.
US-43 southbound/US-72 westbound traffic will shift to the existing half of the new bridge.
Please expect brief stoppages for striping and repositioning of traffic control devices.
Bridge replacement
The project is replacing the 88-year-old bridge one half at a time.
In late March and early April, Miller & Miller demolished the northbound side. In the following months, the contractor constructed a wider replacement with greater clearance over SR-20.
For more on the bridge construction, please see Girders set for Mitchell Boulevard Bridge and Mitchell Boulevard northbound bridge deck poured.
Recent work focused largely on completion of the bridge approaches.
After shifting southbound traffic, the contractor can begin demolition of the remaining half of the old bridge.
ALDOT currently anticipates completion of the project in late 2027 or early 2028.
Northbound diversion remains same
All US-43 northbound/US-72 eastbound traffic will remain in the existing configuration, diverted to the ramp to SR-20 and then onto a series of city streets. Traffic heads east on Coffee Road, then north on South Court Street, returning to US-43/US-72 south of Veterans Drive.
All roads on the northbound diversion will continue to function as one-way, serving northbound/eastbound traffic only.
City street closures
City streets closed at intersections with the detour routes during the previous phase of the project will remain closed.
This includes all city street intersections with the northbound diversion route with the exception of the Mitchell Boulevard service road.
Left turns from US-43/US-72 northbound to Veterans Drive are prohibited.
Additionally, West Bluff Street is closed at US-43/US-72.
Alternate routes encouraged
The rerouting of additional SR-20 traffic will increase the importance of using alternate routes if possible.
ALDOT encourages motorists, particularly commercial traffic, to cross the Tennessee River via the Singing River Bridge on SR-133/SR-157 instead of traversing the work zone to use the O’Neal Bridge. Message boards posted at key intersections will inform drivers of this option.
For real-time traffic and road condition information, visit ALGOtraffic.com or download the ALGO Traffic app.
