On Monday, the Homewood City Council unanimously approved an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) to proceed with long-discussed improvements to the I-65/Lakeshore Parkway interchange. The project, featuring a Diverging Diamond design, aims to ease traffic congestion that has plagued the area for decades.
A Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) is a type of interchange where traffic on a non-highway road crosses to the left side of the road, then back again, allowing for safer and more efficient traffic flow, particularly at intersections with high traffic volumes. This design eliminates the need for left turns across oncoming traffic, improving safety and reducing delays.
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Under the agreement, ALDOT will fund 80% of the construction costs, while Homewood will cover the remaining 20%. However, if the total cost exceeds $23 million, the city will be responsible for all expenses beyond that cap. Council members expressed strong support for the project but raised concerns about potential cost overruns. They agreed to monitor the bidding process, which is expected in July, and consider setting a ceiling for acceptable overages.
