Amid the growing chorus of calls to expand all or parts of Interstate 65 in Alabama, Gov. Kay Ivey continued Thursday to advocate for what’s informally known as the west Alabama corridor along U.S. 43 in a largely rural area of the state.

In a speech to business and community leaders at the Athens-Limestone County Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Ivey promoted the U.S. 43 project – which has become come a rival of sorts with I-65 as Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth has contrasted the two projects as he pushes for funding to be redirected to the interstate.

Related: Where should the money go? I-65 or U.S. 43? Gigantic Alabama road projects stir political battle

Ainsworth has elevated discussion of widening I-65 for months, citing frequent bottlenecks on the state’s busiest north-south highway — particularly on summer weekends for travelers making their way to the beach for vacation or back home again. I-65 is largely two lanes both northbound and southbound while additional lanes are available in the Birmingham metro area as well as in Montgomery and Mobile.

The issues does not figure to fade, given that Ainsworth is widely expected to run for governor in 2026 when Ivey concludes the second of her two terms. The governor is term limited and cannot run again. And earlier this month, former President Donald Trump endorsed the I-65 project during a speech in Montgomery.

Ivey raised the west Alabama corridor project as she touted Rebuild Alabama, a roads improvement project she initiated using funds generated by increasing the state’s gas tax.

It perhaps seemed a curious topic for the governor to raise given that the start of the road project is about 150 miles south from where she was speaking while Athens is split from north to south by I-65. In her remarks, Ivey never mentioned widening I-65.

“Since the Rebuild Alabama Act was enacted just four years ago, new road and bridge projects have broken ground in all of our 67 counties,” Ivey told the luncheon crowd of about 200 people. “More than $170 million in state funds have been awarded to cities and counties in which 234 new projects are either underway or already completed.”

Ivey went on to say that it will be a priority to focus on all infrastructure needs when planning “major road upgrades.”

“Another major Rebuild Alabama project is the west Alabama corridor, which involves the widening of U.S. 43 from Tuscaloosa to Mobile,” Ivey said. “This is a vital road project to open up economic development along Alabama’s western border while also improving the lives of many thousands of Black Belt residents.”

In speaking with reporters following her speech, Ivey acknowledged needed improvements on I-65 but not at the expense of the U.S. 43 project. As a largely two-lane link from Tuscaloosa to Mobile, U.S. 43 goes through small towns such as Demopolis, Thomasville and Jackson before connecting with I-65 just north of Mobile near Satsuma.

In fact, Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day has invited Ainsworth for a visit since the debate began brewing between U.S. 43 and I-65.

“Number one, west Alabama does not have any four-lane access roads to the interstate,” Ivey said when asked why she considered the project a priority as opposed to Ainsworth’s perspective on I-65. “And we need to take care of all of our infrastructure problems, not just I-65. But yes, we’re going to continue to widen I-65 and deal with the west Alabama corridor.”

I-65 has added lanes in recent years, particularly south of Birmingham, and the Alabama Department of Transportation has plans for more additional lanes.

“ALDOT is committed to addressing Alabama’s capacity needs,” said Tony Harris, spokesman for ALDOT, told AL.com in May, adding that the process of prospering the agency’s long-term plan for fiscal year 2024-2027 is underway in which lane widening along I-65 could get included.

“We’re already looking at the most congested segment of I-65 and other roadways,” Harris said. “We’re also continuing to focus on new and improved roadways to spur economic development, with a focus on congestion relief and economic development roads as required by the Rebuild Alabama Act.”

AL.com reporter John Sharp contributed to this report.