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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – One of Pelham’s busiest driving areas, Highway 261, is nearing a major milestone in easing traffic flow.

A funding agreement was reached between Pelham, Hoover, Helena, Shelby County and the Alabama Department of Transportation to widen Highway 261 in 2022.

That funding breakdown includes $33.3 million in federal funding, $4 million in state funding and $675,000 from each of the three cities involved as well as the county with an estimated cost of $40 million.

In order for the project to move forward, 69 properties needed to be acquired by ALDOT. Currently, 67 out of the 69 properties have been acquired. The two remaining properties are currently in condemnation, waiting to be reviewed in civic court.

Andre Bittas, Pelham’s director of development services and public works, gave an update on where the two remaining properties stand.

“As soon as these properties are resolved, the project will proceed to the next phase which is the utility relocation phase,” Bittas said.

The timeline of the project isn’t too far off track with the goal of right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation and bidding to be done by the end of 2024 with construction happening over the next two years.

The project’s aim is to ease congestion and maximize travel efficiency in one of Pelham’s busiest areas.

“The roadway will be widened to a five-lane section from Highway 31 to Bearden Road with two through lanes in each direction and a center left turn lane,” Bittas said. “That will provide additional capacity and improved access management and reduce travel time.”

It will also be a way of helping improve the quality of life in the city, while reducing the risk of accidents and making travel through the area less congested between U.S. 31 and the main path to Pelham High School and the city of Helena.

While the project will heavily improve traffic in the long-term, lane closures will cause delays in the meantime once construction begins.

“There will be some lane closures during construction,” Bittas said. “The details of closures will be determined at a later date and the public will be notified of these temporary closures and detours if necessary.”

Those interested in finding out ore about the widening of Highway 261 may visit Pelham’s website at Pelhamalabama.gov.