Travelers on some of the area’s major highways will be pleased to know that two major construction projects, including the Georgiana Bypass, will soon be completed.

Rebecca White, public information officer for the Alabama Department of Transportation, said that the bypass, also known as Ala. Hwy. 55, is in its final stages.

“ALDOT is making progress with asphalt paving,” White said. “Wet weather has delayed some work, but the project is estimated to be completed by the first of the year.”

The route is the most traveled for locals heading north to the I-65 connector in Georgiana, and for those throughout the nation traveling through Alabama to the Florida beaches.

Star-News archives show the bid for paving the 4.6-mile section of roadway was let in 2011; however, Jones said the construction delay was caused by problems with the base layer of asphalt. Cost for the project is estimated between $6.9 million and $8.4 million.

The project has been under way since May 2009.

And inside Covington County, the bridge replacement project on U.S. Hwy. 84 is nearly complete, and traffic is back to normal.

And that’s good news for travelers between Andalusia and Opp. White said that all four-lanes of traffic should be flowing freely.

“This project is almost completed,” White said. “Traffic was turned back to normal directional flow Monday. There may be a few intermittent lane closures in the upcoming weeks as the project is finished up.”

The bridge replacement project was let for construction in early 2012.