ALDOT Will Install Highway Signs in River Region to Alert Drivers

Tools

By Jessica Gertler

Story Created: Jan 3, 2013 at 6:05 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jan 4, 2013 at 1:15 AM CDT

Interstate-65 in the River Region is going to be more informative. The Alabama Department of Transportation will soon install message signs on the roadways that will provide weather, traffic information and AMBER alerts.

They are very similar to the ones you see in Birmingham, but will be the first signs in the state that show graphics and are in color.

If you've ventured up I-65, you have seen electronic message signs. They warn drivers about traffic accidents, congestion, AMBER and Silver alerts.

"Severe weather alerts will also go up on these message boards," says ALDOT spokesperson Rebecca Leigh White.

Seven signs will be placed along the River Region's busiest roadways. Six signs will be up and running on Interstate-65 and one on Highway 82 East by this time next year.

White says the information on the signs will be inputted through a new traffic management software system, and graphics and text will be keyed in by ALDOT staff.

"The Traffic Management personnel will be able to see the data coming in," says White. "They will be able to decimate that data."

White says the signs will drastically improve road safety, and many drivers agree that it will be helpful.

"You don't know how long it's take to get to the destination," says Sang Mo, who says he frequently drives through Montgomery. "Now you can be like, 'Hey, if there's rush hour or something, I can get there in a certain amount of time."

While other motorists are unsure about the project's $2 million price tag.

"Although that is a great tool to have, I don't think that it's worth $2 million," says Contrell Manora of Montgomery.

But White says the price is well worth the benefits.

"Can you put a price on your time? When you're sitting at a dead still in traffic, how can you put a price on that," she says.

White says there will be a few road closures when the signs are being installed late this summer and early fall.

Transportation officials say they will install more signs around the river region in the future.

The signs will be placed at the following locations:

-I-65 South north of Pine Level in Autauga County

-I-65 South north of State Route 14 in Autauga County

-I-65 South just south of the State Route 143 Interchange in Montgomery County

-U.S. Highway 82 East (Cobbs Ford Road in front of Jim & Nicks BBQ) in Autauga/Elmore Counties

-I-65 North near the Lowndes County Line in Montgomery County

-I-65 North near Hyundai Boulevard in Montgomery County

-I-65 North near Gateway Park (between South Boulevard and Fairview Avenue) in Montgomery County
 
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

What's onFull Schedule

Featured Content

Hot Video From AP

AP Video