(Photo by Holley Midgley / Courtesy of the Groundhog Facebook Page

HUNTSVILLE — The Alabama Department of Transportation advises motorists that Alabama 117 between Mentone and Valley Head is now open; that, following the first phase of a $1.4 million emergency repair project to correct a landslide.

A 300-foot-long section of highway located on the side of Lookout Mountain had to be reconstructed as part of the project – which included stabilization of the slope with a rock buttress.  That stretch of highway was closed to traffic in April – following heavy rainfall that led to destabilization of the slope below the roadway.

Motorists should expect rough pavement and temporary striping, as that final paving and striping work has yet to be completed.

A second phase of the repair will be on-going until around mid-July, which includes a plan calling for single-lane closures and delays from time-to-time.