Members of the Hoover City Council Dec. 7 announced their support for Alabama Department of Transportation plans to add extra lanes on Interstate 65.

Hoover Mayor Tony Petelos said the council authorized him to enter into an agreement with ALDOT to formally announce the project and notify Hoover citizens about impending road construction.

Petelos said one additional lane would be added all the way from Valleydale Road to the Interstate 459 interchange. Also, improvements will be made to an existing ramp on I-459.

“I-65 is a major, major artery for the state of Alabama,” Petelos said. “With all the growth and development in Shelby County, it’s gotten more and more congested, and hopefully this will help with some of that congestion.”

Petelos said the city would not contribute any money towards the project, which will be funded by the state. The city will do maintenance along the interstate, including maintaining traffic lights.

ALDOT preconstruction engineer Lance Taylor said work on the project will begin in the spring of 2010. He said the project would cost in the $12-$15 million range.