Following the acquisition of the necessary right-of-way, phasing of the project was released in June 1979. The first phase included the completion of the interchange at I-20/59 and lane expansion; the second phase included the segment between I-20/59 and the AGS railroad crossing; and the third phase included the elevated segment through the northern terminus in downtown Tuscaloosa. Construction would commence in 1980 on the first phase, with the bid for the second phase setting a then-record for cost for a Tuscaloosa road project at $11,884,450. As construction was wrapping up on phase two, phase three of the project again set a record cost at $17.4 million in January 1982. The phase included the completion of the viaduct section of the freeway, constructed at an average elevation of above grade. The first segment of I-359 opened to traffic in October 1982 between I-20/59 and Exit 1. Costing $41 million at completion, I-359 was officially dedicated and opened for traffic on September 13, 1983.