The Alabama Department of Transportation is working to fix numerous potholes that appeared on Alabama highways following January’s winter storm. Though patching operations may cause temporary delays for motorists, the repairs will help ensure smoother and safer travel.
Precipitation and freezing conditions are key contributors in the formation of potholes. Patching helps prevent further deterioration of the pavement.
Spot repairs are often made with cold mix asphalt, which doesn’t require fresh material from an asphalt plant. While patches may seem rough in comparison to the original road surface, they aren’t as rough as open potholes, which can blow tires, dent rims, and cause other damage to vehicles.
I-65 repairs
ALDOT is making more extensive and enduring repairs to some hard-hit segments of major routes, including I-65 in Morgan County.
In recent weeks, crews milled sections of the damaged road surface and then replaced it by paving long patches with hot mix asphalt. ALDOT’s Tuscumbia Area paving crew assisted the local district with the repairs, which had to be performed during daytime. Nighttime temperatures have been too low for paving.
Paving operations on I-65 in Morgan County will resume in early March, weather permitting. The remaining work is expected to take several days.
This segment of I-65 was last resurfaced in 2015 and is anticipated to be resurfaced again in 2025. In preparation for the future resurfacing, Tuscumbia Area Materials & Tests crews will drill for samples and perform pavement testing Monday, Feb. 26, through Friday, March 1. They will work between mile marker 315, south of the Cullman County line, to mile marker 339, north of the Tennessee River Bridge in Limestone County, in both directions. Please expect intermittent lane closures between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily.
US-31 repairs
ALDOT plans to pave and seal cracks on US-31 northbound on the causeway at the Tennessee River in Decatur on Friday, Feb. 23, followed by repairs to US-31 southbound on the causeway Monday, Feb. 26. Please expect single-lane closures between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Tips for travel
ALDOT advises motorists to plan additional travel time or alternate routes. Please remain aware that although every effort is made to limit repairs to off-peak travel times, closures may extend later than initially expected.
Please slow down and move over when approaching crews at work.
Motorists can visit ALGOtraffic.com or download the ALGO Traffic app for real-time traffic and road condition information and to subscribe to personalized traveler alerts.
