Resources

I-85 Chantilly Parkway Capacity Project

What Drivers Need to Know Before Construction Begins A major

ALDOT Begins I-85 Capacity Improvement Project in Montgomery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department

FAQs

Why is this project important?

This project will improve safety and reduce traffic congestion along I-85 and Chantilly Parkway. In addition to expanding I-85 capacity and upgrading four bridges, the project will widen lanes and add an additional left-turn lane for drivers accessing I-85 South.

When will construction start, and how long will it take?

Construction is scheduled to begin on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, with an estimated three and a half years until completion around April 2030.

When will standard lane closures happen?

Standard lane closures are restricted to overnight hours, Sunday through Thursday, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.

To keep traffic moving during high-travel times, no planned lane closures are permitted during the following holiday and event windows:

Holidays:

Christmas & New Year’s: 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 23 through 6 a.m. on Jan. 2
Memorial Day & Labor Day: Noon on the Friday before through 11:59 p.m. on the holiday
Fourth of July: Noon the day before the holiday through 11:59 p.m. on the holiday
Thanksgiving: Noon on the Wednesday before through 11:59 p.m. on the Sunday after

Events & Game Days:

Auburn A-Day or Alabama State Black & Gold spring football games
Auburn or Alabama State home football game weekends (noon Friday to midnight Saturday)

Occasional closures outside these hours may occur if required due to weather, seasonal conditions, or critical construction milestones.

Why are left turns onto I-85 restricted, and how do I get on the interstate?

Direct left turns onto the I-85 entrance ramps are being restricted to keep traffic efficiently moving through this busy corridor. Maintaining direct left turns during construction would require reducing through-lanes and increasing traffic signal wait times, causing significant backups.

Instead of turning left at the main intersection, drivers will use nearby U-turn locations to access the ramps safely and efficiently:

To enter I-85 Southbound (Westbound Chantilly Traffic):

Continue westbound to Arrowhead Drive, make a U-turn at the signal, and head eastbound on Chantilly Parkway (SR-110) to reach the I-85 South ramp.

To enter I-85 Northbound (Eastbound Chantilly Traffic):

Continue eastbound to the U-turn bulb at Eastchase Parkway, make a U-turn, and head westbound on Chantilly Parkway (SR-110) to reach the I-85 North ramp.

Note: This change applies only to drivers entering I-85. Exiting I-85 onto Chantilly Parkway will not change.

Will the temporary signal at Arrowhead Drive become permanent?

No. The signal at Arrowhead Drive is strictly temporary for the duration of the project. It is installed specifically to help manage I-85 Southbound U-turn traffic during construction.

When is Chantilly Parkway closed for bridge demolition?

Exact dates have not yet been set, but demolition will require two separate weekend closures—one for each I-85 bridge over Chantilly Parkway.

Each closure will run over a single weekend, starting Friday night at 9 p.m. and reopening by 4 a.m. Monday, ensuring the road is open in time for the Monday morning commute. ALDOT will announce official closure dates at least two weeks in advance on this website and our social media channels.

To minimize traffic disruptions, bridge demolition closures are prohibited during the following periods:

Labor Day, Memorial Day, and July 4th weekends
Auburn or Alabama State home football weekends
Holiday season (Nov. 15 through Jan. 2)

Note: Strict financial incentives and penalties are in place to keep the contractor on schedule and ensure the road reopens on time.

What is the detour for the Chantilly closure?

Atlanta Highway to Chantilly Parkway

Route: Take I-85 South to Exit 9 (Taylor Road/SR-271), turn left onto Taylor Road, and take I-85 North to Exit 11 for Chantilly Parkway.
Distance and Time: 4.2 miles and an additional six minutes.

Chantilly Parkway to Atlanta Highway

Route: Take I-85 North to Exit 16 (Waugh/SR-126), turn left on SR-126, and take I-85 South to Exit 11 for Atlanta Highway.
Distance and Time: 10.2 miles and an additional 10 minutes.

ALDOT will continuously monitor traffic flow along Taylor Road during the closures and adjust traffic signals as needed to minimize delays.

Will businesses along Chantilly Parkway and nearby side streets remain accessible during construction?

Yes. Full access will be maintained for all businesses throughout the entire project. Construction activities will not block customer or delivery access along Chantilly Parkway or connecting corridors, including: