There’s more than $426 million allocated to Alabama Department of Transportation projects in the Huntsville metro which are under construction, in design or in the planning stages.

That includes the $85 million U.S. 72 widening project, according to an ALDOT report to the Huntsville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization on Nov. 15. It is the most expensive project on the list.

“We’re preparing the environmental document for U.S. 72,” ALDOT spokesman Seth Burkett said. “Once that is approved, design for the first phase will need to be finalized. We’ll have to acquire right-of-way for that phase, then relocate utilities before construction.”

He said letting for the construction project for the first phase probably will take place at the earliest in 2025.

“The first phase is from Providence to the cemetery and will mainly consist of replacing the bridge at Indian Creek,” Burkett said.

The project will eventually extend to County Line Road, but Burkett said in an earlier interview with the Lede that funding had not been secured for the total cost of the project.