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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

A project to extend the life of the Interstate 65 roadway through Clanton will take the next step on Feb. 24.

On that day, Alabama Department of Transportation will start the process of determining what company will be completing the project and how much it will cost.

The project will remove a top layer from the roadway and replace it with an open-graded friction course layer, which will prevent water from collecting on the road surface and address drainage issues. Construction on this project is expected to begin in late April or early May.

This approach takes less time than a traditional full resurfacing of the road, and it is estimated to take 65 days to complete.

“What we are trying to do with more of our jobs is to do more preventative measures, so we do not have to do full rehabilitation,” John McWilliams, Alabama Department of Transportation public information officer, said. “By doing this preventative maintenance, it helps with the longevity of the road.”

The improvements in Clanton will be made for the portion of the Interstate 65 from Highway 31 to the Highway 145 overpass.

While an exact cost will not be known until after a project bid has been accepted by ALDOT, it is expected to be between $3 million and $3.7 million, which will be paid through federal and state funding.