Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday announced that the Alabama Department of Transportation has awarded a contract to replace Tuscaloosa’s Woolsey Finnell Bridge and make major improvements to U.S. 82 (McFarland Boulevard).
“For too long, folks crossing the Black Warrior River in Tuscaloosa have experienced their own ‘rammer jammer’ rush hour traffic while trying to negotiate the aging four-lane Woolsey Finnell Bridge,” Ivey said. “Today, we set in motion plans to construct a modern six-lane bridge with accommodations for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Much credit for launching this long-needed bridge replacement project goes to former Senator Richard Shelby, who secured a $100 million earmark in the 2023 federal omnibus spending bill, providing a significant portion of the funding.”
ALDOT received three bids for the project and awarded the $167 million contract to Scott Bridge Company, the lowest bidder, on October 14, 2026.
The project will replace the Woolsey Finnell Bridge over the Black Warrior River and the bridge over Campus Drive while widening McFarland Boulevard to provide additional travel lanes. A dedicated shared-use path across the Black Warrior River will also provide a new connection for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The improvements are designed to enhance mobility and safety and accommodate continued growth along one of Tuscaloosa’s busiest transportation corridors, which carries approximately 50,000 vehicles per day. The project extends approximately 1.5 miles along McFarland Boulevard from near Rice Mine Road to the University Boulevard interchange ramps.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2027 and take up to four years to complete. Motorists should expect changing traffic patterns throughout construction. The contractor will keep two lanes of traffic open in each direction on U.S. 82.
“Major infrastructure projects like this require years of planning and strong partnerships at every level of government,” Wallace McAdory III, West Central Region engineer, said. “Replacing the aging bridges and adding capacity will keep traffic moving safely and reliably for decades to come. I look forward to seeing the benefits it will bring Tuscaloosa.”
Additional information about the construction schedule, traffic impacts and public outreach efforts will be announced as the project progresses. Visit UpgradeMcFarland.com for more information and project updates.
