Alabama’s welcome centers that greet drivers as they enter the state have been getting major upgrades, from small, dark and dingy to large, bright and airy.

We’ve seen upgrades at the welcome centers such as the one on I-65 near the Tennessee state line, that unfortunately led to the retirement after more than four decades of the legendary Saturn 1B rocket due to deterioration over time. That welcome center was closed for two years and reopened in October, without the rocket.

The next 1970′s-era welcome center in line for an upgrade is the one on Interstate 20 at the Georgia line. It’s on the Alabama Department of Transportation’s to-do list for 2025, as highway construction gets ready to kick into high gear.

It’s one of a number of high-priority ALDOT projects going on.

“Right now is about normal for the holiday period,” said Linda Crockett, public information officer for the East Central Region of the Alabama Department of Transportation. “It’ll get busier. The first of the year should get busy.”

We mentioned lane widening on I-65 south of Hoover, and on I-59 near Trussville and the continuing work on the Northern Beltline in a story on Birmingham roadwork.

Further out from the Birmingham Metro, these projects are underway and worthy of mention:

• Welcome Center Renovation and Addition (I-20 near Georgia State Line): This project will involve renovating the existing building, improving lighting, and upgrading the parking area to enhance the overall facility at its current location. Like some other Alabama Welcome Centers, this one was due for an upgrade.
• Bridge Replacement on SR-22 over the Tallapoosa River (Wadley): Preliminary work continues on this project, with right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation planned for 2025. Construction is anticipated for very late 2025 or early 2026.
• Bridge Replacement on SR-50 over Wind Creek (Tallapoosa County)
• Bridge Replacement on SR-63 over Sugar Creek (Alexander City): Located just south of US-280, this project is scheduled to let in early 2025. It will replace the aging bridge and address grade and traffic issues near the intersection.
• Resurfacing and Access Management on US-280 (SR-22 to Old Dadeville Road, Alexander City): The section from SR-22 to SR-63 has recently let, with construction expected to begin in 2025. The section from SR-63 to Old Dadeville Road is planned for late 2025 to early 2026. In addition to resurfacing, these projects will address intersection improvements, traffic congestion, and safety enhancements throughout this corridor.
• Bridge Replacement on SR-1 (US-431) over Cornhouse Creek (Randolph County)
• Resurfacing and Access Management on SR-21 north of Anniston
• Resurfacing of SR-15 (US-29) in the City of Valley

ALDOT says these projects highlight the ongoing commitment to improving infrastructure, enhancing safety, and addressing capacity needs across the region.