Work on a third I-59 interchange in Ft Payne is considerably ahead of schedule according to state engineer Johnny Harris, with the Alabama Department of Transportation. Harris calls the project about 67% complete, saying he believes that the interchange could be open to traffic by mid-to-late 2010  ahead of the previously projected 2011. Construction crews are currently putting the finishing touches on a new bridge built for the interchange, and are now focusing on culvert installation, road grading and on ramp construction. The interchange will connect I-59 with 49th Street on the north side of Ft Payne, only a few hundred yards from where 49th Street connects to U.S. 11. The Ft Payne City Council first passed a resolution in 1988 asking the state to consider the construction  DeKalb County Economic Development Authority Director Jimmy Durham, said he believes that the $20 million project could be a boon to the area’s future industrial recruitment efforts.WEIS