The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) announced a major improvement project for U.S. 31 in Spanish Fort, a corridor that serves thousands of Mobile‑area drivers daily. The proposal calls for expanding the four‑lane highway to six lanes, upgrading traffic signals, adding sidewalks, and implementing access‑management and other safety features along the stretch from U.S. 90/U.S. 98 to School Road. Officials say the work will also address intersection capacity at key cross‑roads, including State Route 225.
ALDOT is seeking public input as the project moves through the design phase. A public involvement meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Spanish Fort Community Center, 7361 Spanish Fort Blvd. At the meeting, department staff will share detailed plans, answer questions, and collect comments from residents and businesses that could be affected by the construction.
Residents who cannot attend in person have several alternatives for submitting feedback. Comments can be posted online at www.ALDOTinvolved.com, emailed to [email protected], called in at 251‑470‑8375 (with a three‑minute limit), or mailed to ALDOT, Attn: Jerome A. Reddick, 1701 I‑65 West Service Road, North, Mobile, AL 36618. All input must be received by Dec. 10, 2026.
The department estimates the total cost of the project at about $8.2 million. Construction is slated to begin between fall 2027 and spring 2028, with an anticipated duration of roughly 18 months. Upon completion, ALDOT expects the upgraded corridor to be fully operational in 2029, delivering smoother traffic flow and enhanced safety for commuters, pedestrians, and local businesses.
“We want the community’s voice to shape the final design,” said an ALDOT spokesperson, emphasizing that public suggestions will be considered alongside engineering standards and budget constraints.
What’s next: Mobile residents can attend the Nov. 10 meeting or submit comments online, by email, phone, or mail before the Dec. 10 deadline. The department will review all feedback as it finalizes design plans, with construction expected to start in late 2027.
Sources: fox10tv.com
