Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday announced a project to widen Interstate 65 from Alabaster to Calera, a new Interstate 459 interchange in Hoover, and the widening of Interstate 59 near Trussville.

The governor announced the three projects, which will have a total estimated cost of $500 million, at Hoover City Hall.

“It was exciting to think about this announcement as I drove up 65 this morning, seeing the progress we are making around Clanton and the progress we have already made around Alabaster. And folks, let me tell you, this is just one of many Alabama roads benefiting from our Rebuild Alabama effort,” Ivey said in a press release. “We are all familiar with the phrase ‘no man left behind’. Well, Rebuild Alabama seeks to ensure we have no road, bridge or area of our state left behind.”

The widening of I-65 will run from Exit 238 to Exit 231. It will include six bridges over rail tracks and two bridges over County Road 26, according to the governor’s office. The project will be built in three phases that will eventually be under construction at once. The estimated cost is about $300 million.

The second project is a new interchange to connect Interstate 459 to Highway 150 and South Shades Crest Road in Hoover. The new Hoover interchange will be about one mile from the current exit 10. The cost of the city of Hoover-led initiative will be about $120 million.

The third project will widen Interstate 59 from I-459 to Chalkville Mountain Road, a distance of about four miles. It will increase the interstate’s capacity in a congested area and accommodate future traffic volumes, including traffic generated by the Birmingham Northern Beltline. The estimated cost is $80 million.

Ivey praised local, state and federal officials for their work and said the projects were part of the Rebuild Alabama initiative, launched by the gas tax increase the Legislature approved in 2019.

“We have been working a long time to make these announcements possible – projects totaling about a half a billion dollars. These are wise investments to Rebuild Alabama, and I am proud to get dirt churning on these all within the year,” Ivey said.

The widening of I-65 has become a hot political issue, with Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth advocating that it should be a priority. Former President Trump said during a speech in Montgomery this month he would make the interstate a priority if he wins reelection to the White House next year.

Read more: Ainsworth calls for change in ALDOT leadership, says I-65 should be prioritized

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