Upgrades to Often Congested Hargrove Road Intersection to Begin Next Summer

A project to reduce traffic at one of Tuscaloosa's most regularly congested intersections is expected to begin next summer on Hargrove Road.

The plan to add a new dedicated turn lane where Hargrove meets McFarland Boulevard was one of many presented earlier this month at the annual Transportation Summit hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.

As the Thread previously reported, the upgrades were first proposed by Mayor Walt Maddox this spring as a way to spend a relatively small amount of taxpayer money but still measurably improve quality of life.

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Maddox's proposal calls for a new dedicated turn lane for eastbound drivers on Hargrove Road turning onto McFarland Boulevard by the Circle K gas station.

Right now, drivers who plan to continue straight on Hargrove Road East past Snow Hinton Park are often stopped in the far right lane at red lights, blocking anyone behind them from turning onto McFarland and causing traffic to pile up. Issues are exacerbated by people coming and going from the gas station and other nearby businesses.

At the Transportation Summit, Tuscaloosa City Engineer Mike Gardiner said designs for the improvements have been completed, and the city is working on obtaining the right-of-way easements necessary for the new lane.

"This project is going to create a fourth leg right turn in the eastbound direction on Hargrove Road as you approach McFarland," he said. "In addition to the dedicated right-turn lane, we're looking at some access management to help improve traffic flow and minimize some of the congestion and confusion that happens in that intersection."

At the Summit, Gardiner said the estimated project cost is under half a million dollars at $478,000.

According to the city, they expect to accept bids for the work in Spring 2026 and see work begin early next summer. With a projected construction time of 6 months, the new turn lane could be finished as early as this time next year.

For a few more breakout stories from the Transportation Summit and other coverage of projects and news in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.