GADSDEN – Mayor Sherman Guyton today announced that the Alabama Department of Transportation has agreed to resume work on the extension of Interstate 759 in Gadsden. “Today is a great day for the City of Gadsden and all of Etowah County. The City has been working with State Representative Craig Ford, ALDOT Director John Cooper, and Governor Robert Bentley to make the I-759 extension project a reality,” said Guyton. Gov. Bentley and ALDOT are committed to seeing this project through to completion.

ALDOT has previously conducted engineering studies that sought to identify a route for extending I-759 from where it ends at George Wallace Drive to U.S. Highway 431. The extension would be approximately two miles long. “A traffic study completed by ALDOT in 2015 showed a compelling need for establishing a link between I-759 and Highway 431,” Gov. Robert Bentley said. “We look forward to the progression of this project that will be so important to the growth and economic development of the Gadsden area. I have asked Alabama Department of Transportation Director John Cooper to lead this effort and supervise the advancement of this project.”

The first step is for ALDOT to complete a detailed survey to further define the proposed route. In the coming weeks residents will see surveyors working in their neighborhood.  The extension of I-759, that connects the existing road to the U.S. 278/U.S. 431 intersection in East Gadsden will improve traffic flow, lead to safer travel in the Downtown Gadsden area, improve public safety and support future economic development

“After the exact route is determined, right-of-way acquisition will begin with relocation of utilities to follow,” Cooper said. “As with all of our work at this time, funding is an issue that will affect the timeline for how long it takes to develop plans and begin construction.”
Guyton welcomes the opportunity to continue working on a plan that would connect I-759 to Highway 431.

“The project has been my focus since I took office, and I know it's been a focus of Representative Ford's for some time. This is proof that by working together you can make great things happen.  Today is truly a great day for the City of Gadsden and Etowah County, resulting in the improvement of our transportation infrastructure. On behalf of the City Council and local residents, I want to thank Rep. Ford for his efforts and Gov. Bentley for his commitment to this project” said Guyton.