Officials with the Alabama Department of Transportation were on hand at Heritage Elementary School Thursday, Aug. 26, as plans for the proposed I-565 interchange at County Line Road were unveiled during a public forum.

The new interchange will add an access point on I-565 for traffic on County Line Road, thus alleviating traffic woes at the Wall Triana interchange.

“It has basically been operating at or near capacity for quite awhile,” ALDOT Division Engineer Johnny Harris said about the Wall Triana interchange.  “This is going to give the residents a second interchange.”

Plans for the proposed interchange were stalled when a piece of property on the north side of I-565 was declared historic, but Harris said that has been worked out.

Although the ruling stalled the project, Harris said it will allow engineers to complete the project without having to reroute Madison Boulevard as much as first anticipated.

In addition to alleviating traffic, the project should also open the door for more businesses in the area.

“As Madison grows to the west, this will help the people get home easier and spur economic development,” said Madison Mayor’s Office Executive Assistant Taylor Edge.  “This is going to open up a whole new corridor to West Madison.”

The final design for the project is expected to be presented in 2011, with construction starting in late 2012 or early 2013.

Harris said all timelines will depend upon when Congress passes the federal funding bill, which will allow the state to allocate and prioritize funds for roads.

Harris said construction will take 1 ? to 2 years to complete the project.

Although the construction will ease traffic woes on the interstate once completed, Harris did say he expects some traffic problems during construction.

Although no time frame was given, Harris said the outside lane of both I-565 North and South will be closed at some point in time during construction.