State officials are expected to approve bids this week to widen parts of Interstate 65.

Wiregrass Construction Company had the lowest bid of $78.5 million dollars for a project that will widen the Interstate to eight lanes from Alabama 119 to Shelby County 52. The bid must still be approved by officials with the Alabama Department of Transportation.

Construction could begin as early as October and will take at least three years to finish, said Rep. Mike Hill.

Later phases plan to add two more lanes from Interstate 459 to Alabama 119 and four lanes from Pelham to Alabaster and, eventually, Calera.

“We have to improve the connector roads,” said Hill. “Do both and you’ll find traffic will move a lot faster.”