Tuscaloosa Mayor Gives Updates As McWright's Ferry Road Extension Nears Completion

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox on Thursday provided the community with some notable updates on the massive McWright's Ferry Road extension project.

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As Patch previously reported, officials from Tuscaloosa County, the City of Tuscaloosa and the City of Northport broke ground in July 2023 on the highly anticipated project, which will connect Rice Mine Road to New Watermelon Road by bridging North River and connecting to McWright’s Ferry Road.

Funded through the Tuscaloosa County Road Improvement Commission (TCRIC), the $68.9 million project is expected to significantly reduce commute times for those traveling in or out of the area, while creating additional access for first responders in the case of an emergency.

Thompson Engineering — formerly Burk-Kleinpeter, Inc. — is working as the consultant on the project.

"When school opens, we'll be about 90 to 95% complete," Maddox said in his Mayor's Minute Thursday morning. "There'll still be work to be done, but I think you'll be able to see what that final product is going to mean."

Maddox went on to point out that the improvements will provide a second access across North River and make the passage into north Tuscaloosa a safer experience.

"It's going to cut down on commute times, and it's going to allow Tuscaloosa to grow northward in the generations to come," Maddox said. This project didn't happen by accident. It took a lot of planning. It also took a lot of teamwork. Thanks to the Tuscaloosa County Road Improvement Commission, which was established by House Bill 600, and the work of the Alabama Legislature, and the amazing leadership of our City Council and the McWright's Ferry Road extension, the project that began when I was in second grade is about complete."

Maddox then expressed his gratitude for the patience of those who live in the vicinity of the project.

"For over two years, you've had to put up with delays, debris, and other events related to road construction projects," he said. "I know it wasn't easy, but your patience, I promise, is going to pay off, as you have a much better drive in the future, a much safer drive, and you continue to see the growth around you."

In an update provided earlier this month, officials said the contractor is finalizing work on Rice Mine and State Route 297, and on McWright’s up to North River.

Paving crews have been on-site at Rice Mine Road and SR-297 completing the remaining milling and leveling operations before the final asphalt layer is placed.

On the north end of McWright’s Ferry Road, the city says the contractor has continued progress on curb and gutter, driveways, and landscaping between Oak Glen and Bluegrass Parkway, while the New Watermelon Road Traffic signal has been constructed.

As for impacts to traffic, the city says motorists can expect continued intermittent lane closures and restrictions on State Route 297 and Rice Mine Road during the workday as the final paving is performed.

Additionally, traffic impacts with lane closures and workers near the travel lane are expected on New Watermelon Road through much of July.

The city says the next steps in the project will consist of completing final grading outside the pavement on State Route 297 and Rice Mine near Coral Industries, along with placing the final wearing surface layer on Rice Mine, State Route 297, and Coral Court.

Click here for the latest updates on the project.

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