Work resumed last week on a $2.801 million project that, once completed, will include the micromilling, resurfacing, traffic striping and guardrail installation on a 4.899 mile stretch of Highway 43 through Russellville.
Project NH-0013 (638), 'Constructing the MicroMilling, Resurfacing, Guardrail Installation and Traffic Stripe on SR-13 (US-13) from the junction of CR-36 to the intersection of Underwood Road
Seth Burkett, Public Information Officer for the North Region of the Alabama Department of Transportation, said the contractor for the project, Rogers Group, would resume work on the site once the forecast called for a multi-day stretch of warmer temperatures.
The project was broken down into three sections, with expectations that one or two sections would be completed before winter, and the remaining sections completed in the spring of 2025.
“They were nearing completion of the 1.5 mile segment from Underwood Road to Walmart when the good weather ran out, unfortunately,” Burkett told the FFP last week. “The main travel lane paving on that section was done, but they still need to pave median crossovers, side street tie-ins, etc.”
The contract called for all work to be done within 90 working days. Burkett explained these are distinguishable from calendar days, so the project is not behind schedule.
“Though weather didn't allow the contractor to accomplish as much as they hoped during the 2024 construction season, I don't know that there has been much delay to the overall project on ALDOT's timetable. We still anticipate completion in late spring/early summer,” Burkett said.
But he understands concerns about the project and the fact that median crossovers, when not repaved along with the highway on either side, create concerns for motorists.
“We apologize to motorists for the inconvenience, and we thank them for their patience. With some warmer temperatures showing up in the forecast now, the contractor plans to be back on site in the next few days to resume work on the current section, which should require a week or two to complete,” Burkett said. ?“They likely won't start work on the remaining sections, from Walmart to CR-36 (Rockwood), until spring, when conditions are more consistently favorable,” he added.
Several residents have contacted the FFP asking for information on when work on SR-13, or Highway 43 as it's known locally, will resume. Concerns about driving onto the medians, which have not been repaved, were expressed.
