By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – The Alabama Department of Transportation likely will hang traffic lights at the intersection of Alabama 119 and Shelby County 80 by Oct. 3, and will bring the lights into operation by the second week in October, according to Alabaster officials.

Alabaster City Manager George Henry said ALDOT is planning to hang the lights at the intersection in the first couple of days in October, and will let the lights flash for seven days before bringing them into operation.

In December 2013, the City Council voted to approve an agreement with ALDOT to install traffic lights at the intersection of Alabama 119 and Shelby County 80. Through the agreement, ALDOT will provide $450,727 and Alabaster will provide $222,000 to purchase and install the new traffic signals.

City officials previously said the signals will help to alleviate frequent congestion at the intersection, particularly for those living in Wynlake and other subdivisions on Shelby County 80.

The signals were designed to accommodate the future four-lane widening of Alabama 119, which likely will move forward within the next two years.