The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) awarded a contract to replace the Woolsey Finnell Bridge and make major improvements to US-82 (McFarland Boulevard) in Tuscaloosa.
The project will replace the Woolsey Finnell Bridge over the Black Warrior River and the bridge over Campus Drive while widening McFarland Boulevard to provide additional travel lanes. A dedicated shared-use path across the Black Warrior River will also provide a new connection for pedestrians and bicyclists.
ALDOT received three bids for the project and awarded the $167 million contract to Scott Bridge Co., the lowest bidder, on Oct. 14.
The improvements are designed to enhance mobility, safety and accommodate continued growth along one of Tuscaloosa’s busiest transportation corridors, which carries approximately 50,000 vehicles per day.
The project extends approximately 1.5 miles along McFarland Boulevard from near Rice Mine Road to the University Boulevard interchange ramps.
Former U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby secured a $100 million earmark for the project in the 2023 federal omnibus spending bill, providing a significant portion of the funding.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2027 and take up to four years to complete. Motorists should expect changing traffic patterns throughout construction. The contractor will keep two lanes of traffic open in each direction on US-82.
Additional information regarding the construction schedule, traffic impacts and public outreach efforts will be announced as the project progresses. Visit UpgradeMcFarland.com for more information and project updates.
Follow the details of this project at UpgradeMcFarland.com
| Region/County | West Central/Tuscaloosa |
| Type of Work | Bridge replacement and widening |
| Route | US-82 |
| Projected Start | Early 2027 |
| Projected Completion | Approximately 4 years |
| Project Number | DEMOF-NHF-A210(943) |
| Project Cost | $166,914,743.00 |
| Project Status | Upcoming |
