Jefferson County outlines major road expansion affecting Trussville corridor; $9.2M contract cited

Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight and county civil engineer Chris Nicholson told the Trussville City Council that a county-led expansion of the corridor leading to I-59 will add travel lanes and new turn lanes, realign intersections and require extensive utility relocations.

"We're going to add an extra lane," Commissioner Joe Knight said, describing the tight fit near the McDonald's and Wendy's access points and asking residents to "please be patient with us" as work proceeds. Chris Nicholson, one of the county engineers leading preconstruction design, said crews are opening turn lanes at Boulder Drive and Woodland Circle, realigning Pine View and Green Drive, and restriping approaches to create additional through lanes toward the interstate.

Nicholson said the project includes signal-optimization work at multiple intersections and that crews expect to have signal equipment in place next month with lane openings targeted for September and further work extending into next spring and summer. "That signal heads up...we're hoping installed in September," Nicholson said.

The county identified Tilton Contractors as the builder on a contract the presentation listed at $9.2 million and named Kimley-Horn in Birmingham as the project's designer at $630,000. Nicholson also said there is "a little over a million dollars" of ongoing roadway work in the current phase of construction and that utilities — both overhead and underground — are being relocated before final paving and drainage work.

Officials said they expect limited full closures but noted small detours as Green Drive is realigned and that work in the corridor will be staged to keep traffic moving. When council members asked whether the work would require shuttering business access, county staff said they do not anticipate substantial, sustained shutdowns and plan limited detours and lane restrictions where necessary.

The presentation included drone imagery of the work area and a schedule overview. County staff said Roper Road paving is expected to begin in September, while other sections likely will be paved later in the season (October–early November, weather permitting). A broader segment of the project is slated for initial completion the following summer, subject to utility coordination and equipment delivery.

The county identified utility relocation as the critical path item, noting that Alabama Power and other utilities will need to move lines before final grading and paving. Officials also said one city water line will be relocated to accommodate lane geometry. The county characterized the project as county-funded and urged residents to expect temporary disruptions during construction.

What’s next: county staff will continue coordination with the city on staging and notifications; the council was told to expect notices before major mobilization in early September.

Speakers quoted: Commissioner Joe Knight; Chris Nicholson.