ALDOT Closing Exit 79 Ramp off I-20/59 for a Year

It will be a year before exit 79 of I-20/59 northbound will be open again.  That's the estimate given by ALDOT during this latest phase of the road widening project.

The reason for the closing is due to traffic being shifted onto a new median bridge.  This will block the ability to take this Highway 11 exit for Cottondale or Coaling.  The detour option is take exit 86, County Road 59 or Covered Bridge Road.

When does it begin?  Tonight (Wednesday, Sept. 23).

ALDOT's advisory adds:

Motorists should expect delays during these operations. Motorists are requested to consider using alternate routes, adjust arrival/departure times, observe work zone speed limits and other work zone signs/message boards and use extreme caution in this area. ALDOT thanks motorists for their patience during the construction.

Once this northbound side is completed, the southbound exit 79 ramp will be closed. This is also estimated to take a year to complete.

Call it growing pains, "pains" being the key word. You know it will be worth the trouble in the long run by adding the much needed lanes to this highway.