Expect Minor Delays Saturday as ALDOT Surveys Tuscaloosa Bridges for Bats

The Alabama Department of Transportation will be in Tuscaloosa this weekend to survey the population of flying bats under a trio of bridges here.

John McWilliams, a spokesperson for ALDOT in west Alabama, said crews will close one outside lane of US Highway 82 at a time Saturday morning and evening to check under bridges for roosting bats.

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He said ALDOT will check the Woolsey Finnell Bridge, Campus Drive Bridge and railroad the bridge west of Campus Drive.

"To facilitate the survey, the US-82 westbound outside lane will be closed at 7 a.m. and is
expected to reopen that afternoon," he said. "Following this, the US-82 eastbound outside lane will be closed and should reopen by 7 p.m., weather permitting."

McWilliams said the work is required by federal regulations, to ensure that planned ALDOT construction activities only minimally impact the bat population.

McWilliams said the work will only take place this Saturday morning and afternoon, but during that time, motorists should expect delays on McFarland Boulevard.

For more news from around west Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.