Beginning Monday, April 26 after 8 a.m., weather permitting, detours on State Road 15 in Lee County will be activated during ALDOT's project to replace the bridge over Halawakee Creek at mile marker 197 and a bridge culvert at mile marker 200. Work to replace the 81-year old bridge will cost $1.39 million and is expected to take approximately one year to complete. Detours will remain in place throughout the project.

The bridge spanning Halawakee Creek near historic Beans Mill, approximately six miles east of Opelika, was built in 1929. The current bridge, which is functionally obsolete due to the 20-foot roadway with no shoulder width on the bridge, has an average daily traffic count of 5,780 vehicles. The new bridge will improve the widths and grade of the approach roadway.

Official signed detours for State Road 15 and U.S. Highway 29 are as follows:

 Southbound – (From Valley) Continue on US 29 South/SR-15 to the intersection of CR 388 in Chambers County, turn right on CR 388 and continue west to the intersection of CR 388 and I-85 (Exit 70). Take the on ramp to I-85 South/US 29 South and continue south until existing US 29 joins I-85 at Exit 64. Ends southbound detour for U.S. Highway 29.

 Northbound – (From Opelika) Continue on West Point Parkway to the I-85 Interchange (Exit 64). Take I-85 North  to CR 388 (Exit 70). Turn right onto CR 388, continue to the intersection of CR 388 in Chambers County, and US 29 North/SR-15. Turn left on US 29 North. Ends northbound detour for U.S. Highway 29.

 Northbound – (US 29 North from Auburn) US 29 North runs concurrent with I-85. The detour for motorists on US 29 North begins at Exit 64 where motorists will continue north on I-85 until Exit 70. Then motorists will turn right onto CR 388 and continue to the intersection of CR 388 in Chambers County, and US 29 North/SR-15. Turn left on US 29 North. Ends northbound detour for U.S. Highway 29.

 Local Traffic Only- US 29 will be closed at the culvert site at mile marker 200 and at the bridge site at mile marker 197 to all through traffic. With the exception of these two areas, local traffic may use the remainder of US 29 and all county roads.

Motorists are requested to consider adjusting arrival/departure times, observe speed limits and official detour signs, and use extreme caution in this area. ALDOT thanks motorists for their patience during this construction to improve Alabama's roadways.

For additional information, visit www.dot.state.al.us.