Madison is working toward opening the westbound ramp of the I-565 interchange at Town Madison by the end of the month.

The nearly $37 million project, which the city funded through a bond issue, was initially expected to be completed in mid-2024. A series of weather-imposed delays pushed back those estimates, said Samantha Magnuson, communications director for Madison.

Magnuson said the city met last week with state Department of Transportation staff on the construction’s progress, and paving, striping and guardrail work remains to be finished.

“ALDOT will be doing their final inspections soon,” she said. “Within just a few weeks, it will be open to traffic.”

Work to ease westbound traffic’s flow into the mixed use development that’s home to Toyota Field began in November 2022. While the eastbound interchange opened in 2021, westbound drivers must exit I-565 about two miles before Town Madison and pass three signaled intersections.

Also in November 2022, Madison city councilors voted to annex the Publix at Clift Farm, a move that was expected to add over $700,000 in annual tax revenue to help cover the cost, according to AL.com.

The city then issued bonds for the construction project. Madison Mayor Paul Finley said at the time the bonds would cover the cost for the interchange’s final phase, including, “flyover ramps to move westbound traffic safely and efficiently in and out of Toyota Field and Town Madison, along with easier access from Redstone Arsenal Gate 7.”

Paying the cost rather than waiting for state or federal funding, Finley said, ensured the interchange would be built promptly.