GUNTERSVILLE — A main connector between Arab and Guntersville will soon be easier for motorists to drive on during wet weather.
The Alabama Department of Transportation said work will soon begin on the more a $4 million paving project on Alabama 69 in Marshall County.
The project includes milling and resurfacing about five miles of four- to five-lane highway from Holbrook drive near Arab to Nuel Road in Guntersville.
The final surface layer on a large segment of the project will be an open-graded friction course, which helps to reduce splashing, spraying, and hydroplaning in wet weather.
Weather permitting, a subcontractor is installing work zone signs today, reducing the speed limit to 45 mph during the project.
Whitaker Contracting could begin work on Alabama 69 as early as next week, depending on progress on another, ongoing project, ALDOT said. Whitaker is nearing completion on the $6.5 million resurfacing of seven miles of U.S. 431 from the Etowah County line, through Boaz, to Alabama 75 in Albertville.
The contractor anticipates paving the remaining crossovers, turn lanes and intersections to take one to two weeks with good weather. Whitaker is running three paving crews and working days and nights.
Motorists should be prepared for daytime single-lane closures on Alabama 69 when milling begins.
The project is expected to be completed in mid-summer.
