Tuscaloosa Opens Extended McWright’s Ferry Road Days Ahead of Schedule

Here's news you don't hear often in West Alabama - the city of Tuscaloosa is set to finish a road construction project ahead of schedule and has opened its transformational extension of McWright's Ferry Road to traffic early.

The $60 million project links Rice Mine Road to New Watermelon Road and will unlock opportunities for residential growth in north Tuscaloosa, reduce commute and emergency response times and more.

The extension was a top priority of the Tuscaloosa County Road Improvement Commission, which was created to help fund and oversee seven separate projects to improve, expand or create highly trafficked routes in the region.

After about two years of construction, the McWright's Ferry Road Extension is almost entirely finished. On Friday, the city announced the opening of the new road from the Paul Bryant Bridge over the Black Warrior River to Waterfall Lane near New Watermelon Road.

The original target date for opening the new road was August 18th, 2025, and city leaders are celebrating the days-early early finish.

“The McWright’s Ferry Road Extension Project is a $60 million dollar investment that will be transformational for the future of Tuscaloosa,” said Mayor Walt Maddox. “I’m so proud that it remains on schedule and on budget as we near completion. With this new section open ahead of schedule, we anticipate an immediate improvement in traffic flow and emergency response access. I want to sincerely thank our residents for their patience and support throughout this transformative endeavor.”

Crossing North River on the new road required construction of a bridge, which has been finished and named to honor Leroy and Ruth McAbee.

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The new route also provides much easier access to Lake Tuscaloosa, Lake Nicol, Harris Lake and Holt Lake without having to travel the highly trafficked sections of Rice Mine Road and New Watermelon Road around the spillway.

“The opening of the new McWright’s Ferry Road marks a major milestone for our community,” District 3 Councilor Norman Crow said. “Thank you to the City’s team, TCRIC, and all of the contractors and subcontractors whose hard work and coordination have kept this vital project moving forward with minimal disruption. This extension has been long-awaited and is a major step forward for Tuscaloosa.”

For more coverage of road projects and other developments in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.