City of Tuscaloosa Holds Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard/Jack Warner Parkway Improvements Groundbreaking

Tuscaloosa, AL - The City of Tuscaloosa held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard/Jack Warner Parkway Improvements on Tuesday, July 14, at 8:15 a.m.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, District 1 Councilor Joe Eatmon and Alabama State Representative Chris England spoke during the ceremony.

"One of the things I'm most proud of working for the City of Tuscaloosa is our commitment to delivering real results," Mayor Walt Maddox said. "This project means to much to our community and I'm deeply grateful to everyone who has helped make it a reality. You remind me everyday of why I'm proud to call Tuscaloosa home."

Phase III of the project, in partnership with the Tuscaloosa County Road Improvement Commission (TCRIC), will upgrade and widen the railroad bridge over Jack Warner Parkway to improve vehicle traffic beneath the rail line crossings. This enhancement will unlock more than 100 acres of land in West Tuscaloosa for future development opportunities.

"For many, this bridge has long been a psychological barrier, disconnecting West Tuscaloosa from our thriving downtown and other parts of the City," Councilor Joe Eatmon said. "Today marks a major step forward in breaking down that barrier and strengthening the connection between West Tuscaloosa and the rest of our community."

Once complete, the project will transform the roadway from Stillman Boulevard to Almon Avenue into a four-lane corridor with a landscaped median, new sidewalks and shared use paths, upgraded roadway and pedestrian lighting, enhanced landscaping and irrigation and improved underground utilities.

"By addressing this trestle, we're not only improving traffic flow; we're bringing much-needed resources to parts of our community that have gone without for far too long," said Representative Chris England.

Phase III is the final phase of the project. Photos from the event can be viewed here.