DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — Big changes are coming to 6th Avenue in Decatur. The long-awaited 6th Avenue streetscape project has now started, and drivers noticed the first changes on Monday.
As of Monday morning, the stoplights at three intersections of 6th Avenue are flashing: Prospect Drive, Jackson Street and Johnston Street. The City of Decatur says this traffic pattern will be temporary, and it is to give drivers time to adjust to changes at these intersections.
This is part of an 18-month, $10 million project geared at revamping the “entry way” to Decatur.
“We call it the foyer of our city, we want it to look attractive for people that come into our city,” said Dane Shaw, the Director of Development for the City of Decatur.
He said new sidewalks, medians, landscaping, and other improvements will be added along 6th Avenue between Wilson Street near the Hudson Memorial Bridge and Prospect Drive.
Eventually, the stoplights at Jackson Street, Johnston Street, and Prospect Drive will be removed. Medians with landscaping will be added and drivers will no longer be able to turn left or go through the intersection at those three intersections.
Shaw said this decision came about after conducting a traffic study.
“There weren’t a lot of people that were using those lights,” Shaw said. “So when we take those out, it helps traffic flow much better, much smoother.”
He said drivers shouldn’t be too inconvenienced, and will be encouraged to turn at nearby larger intersections.
“They may have to go around the block or make a U-turn and go from there,” he said.
However, several people that News 19 spoke with about the project said they are concerned about safety and problems with traffic.
One woman, who didn’t want to go on camera, said she was nervous that accidents would happen at the intersections from people not understanding what to do at the flashing lights.
Another woman who works at a business on one of the streets said she’s frustrated that she will have to take a different route to get to and from work.
Others expressed concerns with an increase in traffic on roads in that area that aren’t losing the signals.
Shaw said the traffic lights at the three intersections should be removed in early 2026. He anticipates the 6th Avenue project as a whole will wrap up in early 2027.
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