Montgomery awarded $13.4M to replace aging I-65 and I-85 lighting

Montgomery will receive $13,407,200 in federal funding to replace failing lights along Interstate 65 and Interstate 85, where much of the lighting infrastructure is more than 50 years old.

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the award October 30 through its fiscal year 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All program. The funding will cover 80 percent of the estimated $16,759,000 cost of the first phase of the city’s interstate lighting modernization project. The required nonfederal share is $3,351,800.

The city plans to replace 741 obsolete fixtures with 1,062 LED fixtures, restore safe access for maintenance crews and install wireless outage monitoring. The work spans 15 construction areas and 7.9 miles measured along the roadway centerline, including the I-65 and I-85 interchange.

“Every resident and visitor traveling through Montgomery deserves roadways that help them get home safely,” Mayor Steven L. Reed said. “This $13.4 million federal award is a major step toward replacing aging interstate lighting, improving visibility and giving our crews the tools to maintain these improvements. We are investing in public safety and in the infrastructure that serves as the front door to Alabama’s capital city.”

Addressing aging infrastructure

An engineering assessment for the city’s broader modernization plan found that much of Montgomery’s interstate lighting infrastructure—including poles, wiring and service panels—had exceeded its intended service life.

The assessment found widespread outages, uneven lighting and aging equipment that makes routine repairs difficult. Many tall light poles have broken or obsolete lowering mechanisms, preventing crews from safely bringing fixtures to ground level for maintenance.

The new equipment will give crews safer access to the fixtures, and wireless monitoring will help them spot outages sooner. The city also expects the LED fixtures to reduce electricity use and long-term operating costs.

Improving safety on interstate corridors

The Montgomery Metropolitan Planning Organization’s safety action plan lists the stretches included in the first phase as part of its high-injury network. According to the federal award notice, 32 crashes on those stretches resulted in deaths or serious injuries from 2019 through 2023. Eight were fatal. The notice also said 19 of the 49 crashes reviewed occurred after dark.

The Federal Highway Administration lists roadway lighting as a proven safety countermeasure. The project is expected to improve visibility, reduce crashes that kill or seriously injure people and make it safer for emergency crews to respond.

Advancing a broader modernization plan

Montgomery developed the broader plan with Montgomery-based Garner & Associates Engineering PC. The plan calls for about $38.2 million in improvements across five construction phases, allowing the city to seek funding in stages.

The full plan covers I-65 from the Clay/Herron Street exit through the Highway 80 interchange and I-85 from the I-65 interchange to Chantilly Parkway. The federal award covers the first phase.

The city will work with the Federal Highway Administration to finalize and sign a grant agreement before the federal government commits the funds or grant-funded work begins. The city will share construction schedule details as the project moves forward.