State officials have announced construction will soon be underway on the new West Alabama Highway. The four-lane divided roadway will connect Thomasville in Clarke County to Moundville in Hale and Tuscaloosa counties.
According to a report from WSFA 12, the work is scheduled to begin in Demopolis, where a former grocery store on Highway 80 will serve as the headquarters for operations. Local officials anticipate the project will have a major economic impact, particularly for West Alabama, a region often cited as underserved in terms of infrastructure development.
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Mayor of Demopolis Woody Collins emphasized the highway’s potential to stimulate trade and create new opportunities. City leaders estimate that up to 700 jobs could be generated at the peak of construction. Collins also noted the anticipated positive effects on local tax revenue, housing development, and broader economic growth..
“Demopolis is proud to be the home base for this transformational infrastructure project,” he said. “Having the construction headquarters here means jobs and increased activity for our local economy. We are excited to support this effort and look forward to seeing the long-term, positive impact this highway will have on our region.”
State Senator Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) also noted the benefits of the project for the area.
“This is an exciting step forward for the West Alabama Highway project, and I’m thrilled that Demopolis was chosen as the headquarters location,” said Singleton. “The West Alabama Highway will connect communities, attract business opportunities, provide safer travel, and create jobs. Today’s announcement is another milestone in making that vision a reality.”
The West Alabama Highway is part of the broader Rebuild Alabama Program, which is funded by state gasoline taxes. The program was established following the passage of the Rebuild Alabama Act in 2019 and has already financed several road and bridge improvement projects across the state. In addition to the West Alabama Highway, the Rebuild Alabama initiative will fund planned lane additions to U.S. Highway 43 and State Route 69, aiming to establish a continuous four-lane corridor between Mobile and Tuscaloosa.
