Construction Begins on $23M Diverging Diamond Interchange in Homewood

The new design aims to improve traffic flow and safety at the I-65 and Lakeshore Parkway intersection.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 7:23am

Construction has begun on a $23 million 'diverging diamond interchange' project on Interstate 65 at Lakeshore Parkway in Homewood, Alabama. The new design will temporarily shift vehicles to the opposite side of the road while crossing the bridge, allowing for smoother, signal-free left turns onto the interstate and easier merging for drivers exiting I-65. The project is a partnership between the city of Homewood and the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT).

Why it matters

The Lakeshore Parkway intersection sees heavy traffic, with around 50,000 vehicles using the parkway and more than 100,000 vehicles driving on I-65 every day. The diverging diamond design is expected to improve traffic flow and safety by eliminating left turns in front of oncoming traffic and reducing construction costs.

The details

The diverging diamond interchange design is new to Alabama, with one existing in Daphne and another being built in McCalla. This will be the second such interchange in Jefferson County and the third in the state. The project will also include a protected pedestrian path along the middle of Lakeshore Parkway across the bridge, with tall concrete barriers and crosswalks for safe passage.

  • Construction on the project began on Monday, February 28, 2026.
  • The project is expected to be completed by the late summer or early fall of 2027.

The players

Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT)

The state transportation agency that is partnering with the city of Homewood on the $23 million diverging diamond interchange project.

City of Homewood

The local municipality that is contributing 20% of the funding for the diverging diamond interchange project at the I-65 and Lakeshore Parkway intersection.

Jon Paepcke

The ALDOT east-central region spokesperson who provided details about the diverging diamond interchange design and the project.

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What they’re saying

“It's a safer, more efficient, more cost effective way to do interchanges.”

— Jon Paepcke, ALDOT east-central region spokesperson

“The city of Homewood and ALDOT have really been working together for the last decade or so to kind of plan this interchange and in collaborations like that are really what make local projects like this go.”

— Jon Paepcke, ALDOT east-central region spokesperson

What’s next

Lane closures and a full shutdown of the Lakeshore Parkway bridge are expected later in the project, which ALDOT will provide advanced notice for.

The takeaway

The new diverging diamond interchange design aims to improve traffic flow and safety at the busy I-65 and Lakeshore Parkway intersection in Homewood, Alabama, through a $23 million partnership between the city and the state transportation agency.