[quattordici]

Use this thread to update everyone on the ongoing road and highway construction, proposals too, going on around the state.

Notice a project starting? Post it!
Notice a project finishing up? Post it!
Notice a project stalling...? Post it! begrudgingly...

I'll start off.


My mom and I drove down to Panama City Beach today, so I got a good dose of interstate construction. Here are some updates:

Decatur

I-65 near Lacon

Improvements to the bridges over the creek near the Lacon exit are ongoing. I'm not sure exactly how they plan to improve them, cause I don't recall an official announcement. But, it is obvious that they're going to resurface the bridges in some way. I'm sure a lot of people know that it's pretty scary to go over those things at high speeds...

I-65 Tennessee River Bridges

I'm not sure if the weather monitoring system on the bridge is complete yet, but it sure looks like it.

Cullman

Widening of road crossing I-65

The new overpass is complete. It appears like we're still waiting on the widening of the rest of the road for the construction zone to be removed.

North Birmingham

I-20/59 lighting replacement

It seems that much of the work is finished. I noticed that the lights on the eastbound lanes were one and working fine.

I-65 widening north of the Junction

Most of the overpass-work is completed, but they are still working on replacing the decks of the older, original overpasses in the center.

It looked like they were beginning to construct a new off-ramp from I-65 Southbound to Finley Boulevard.

So far, everything looks like it is on schedule. We should start seeing interchange construction beginning in December. I'm looking forward to it.

I-65 Resurfacing

I read an article a few days ago on ALDOT bidding out the resurfacing project between, I believe, Fieldstown and Walkers Chapel? I can't really remember. Someone correct me if they remember.

Over The Mountain, Jefferson

I-65 Work

I'm sure most have heard, stimulus money has been granted to landscaping of the interchange with I-65 and Montgomery Highway in Vestavia. Also, the MPO recently approved the reconstruction of the lanes between Montgomery Highway and the I-459 interchange (what I called the OTM interchange).

West Shelby

I-65 Widening

Work continues on the much needed widening of I-65 from Valleydale to Alabaster. The road is looking MUCH more attractive and modern with the concrete walls being used to compact the roadway.

South Shelby/North Chilton

I-65 buffer creation

Work continues on the Northbound side of I-65 on the buffers to the east of the roadway. They're clearing out trees and replacing it with grass to allow for a more safe and open roadway.

Montgomery

I-65 widening

Work is ongoing from basically the Alabama River bridge on south. I can't remember exactly where the widening ends south of I-85 cause I never make it down there. So someone please post that if you know.

Eastern Boulevard

Work on overpasses is still ongoing.

Enterprise

Boll Weevil Circle widening

Work is ongoing. Work is taking place starting just south of where AL 167 leaves the Circle for Hartford. I know that widening is taking place AT LEAST to where the road to Geneva hits the circle.

[Brown Duckz]

Good thread :cool:

The I65 project in Montgomery streches from Highway 80 on the southside to the river bridge. I honestly think they should have gone with a solid 4 lanes, but space may have some constraints on that possibility.

[| BRAVO |]

I keep tabs of upcoming projects by checking out the "Project Letting" notices on ALDOT's website.

A few things of interest from July and August include:

Widening of I-20 between Moody and Pell City was let in July. Link (http://www.dot.state.al.us/internetdocs/TemplateFiles/Bureaus/Office%20Engineer/Office_1placeholder.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2fDocs%2fBureaus%2fOffice%2bEngineer%2fProject%2bLetting%2fNTCJUL3109%2eHTM%2ehtm&NRNODEGUID=%7bDA62183A-2E2E-48AA-B40A-D5FFE134AD53%7d&NRCACHEHINT=Guest#CALL001)

Improvements to 14th Street are being let in August Link (http://www.dot.state.al.us/internetdocs/TemplateFiles/Bureaus/Office%20Engineer/Office_1placeholder.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2fDocs%2fBureaus%2fOffice%2bEngineer%2fProject%2bLetting%2fntc082809%2ehtm&NRNODEGUID=%7bF9796A4D-4A5C-420A-AF46-066ECD3D999C%7d&NRCACHEHINT=Guest#CALL024)

No indication yet that the I-22 Connector has been let. I guess we'll just have to wait and see?

[quattordici]

Hmm, I didn't know about that part of the site, thanx for the tip Bravo!

[ttownfeen]

I haven't heard anything lately about the 20/59 widening project. I thought they were starting on the section in Cottondale months ago but that was just some project to strengthen the embankment. Right now they are repaving 20/59 through Tuscaloosa, but there are no indications they will be starting the widening anytime soon.

[Rail Claimore]

I hope that after widening 20/59 between Moody and Pell City that they raise the speed limit on that stretch back to 70.

[Bogue]

59 doesn't go to Pell City. 20/59 joins in Meridian & splits in Birmingham with 59 going to Gadsden. Just FYI.

[Rail Claimore]

59 doesn't go to Pell City. 20/59 joins in Meridian & splits in Birmingham with 59 going to Gadsden. Just FYI.

My bad, I was too busy reading a previous post to realize my obvious mistake.

[quattordici]

From the Enterprise Ledger (http://www2.eprisenow.com/ent/news/local/article/half_million_road_resurfacing_approved/86369/): Michelle Mann

Published: August 6, 2009

More than a half-million dollars in road resurfacing projects were unanimously approved by the Coffee County Commission at a called meeting Tuesday.
Three projects planned to start in about a month, Coffee County Engineer Randy Tindell said. The first project is resurfacing of County Road 368 from Alabama Road 166 to County Road 364 at an estimated cost of $230,000.
Resurfacing County Road 709 from Alabama Road 167 to Alabama Road 134 is estimated to cost $337,620, Tindell said.
An emergency repair for 48-inch pipe on County Road 474, estimated to cost $14,000, was also approved by commissioners.

[ttownfeen]

I was driving to Cottondale a few days ago and noticed that they were widening Buttermilk Road from the interstate down to past Bryant High school. I believe this is supposed to be part of eastern bypass of Tuscaloosa, which is being held up currently be disputes over the section of the road that will cross Hurricane Creek.

I don't understand why the state isn't pitching anything into the Tuscaloosa loop project. The western bypass was a built jointly by the Northport, Tuscaloosa and the county, while the bridge carrying it over the Black Warrior River was privately-built. Well, I guess that state had to build the interchange with 20/59 west of Tuscaloosa.

[Muskavon]

Can't wait to have an excuse to travel Hwy (County Road 113, Escambia County, Alabama). That is a newly paved Hurricane evacuation road for Pensacola. Paved to 4 lanes.

I don't know why Alabama spent the money to do it to tell you the truth. Florida has shown little to no interest in helping Pensacolians leave town for devestating hurricanes. Hwy 29 isn't 6 lanes. Or 8. You connect to a part of Florida that doesn't care how many people die caught in traffic. Yet you spend money increasing your flow. That is an awesome tribute to Alabama. It won't be your fault when we all die in the next Category 5. You did your part.

If I could complain...I'd suggest that I-65 from Mobile to Montgomery northbound should be at least 3 lanes. Probably 4 lanes. The whole way. Everyone on the coast wants to move to Montgomery or North in a storm. Florida needs to contibute at least half to widen I-65. But don't hold your breath. This is the greater Pensacola area we are talking about. There are 10 suburbs of Orlando that have more political pull (but not population).

[quattordici]

Florida just doesn't care, I don't think. All I can say is, I'm glad we're being proactive.

[SouthSky]

Here's an interesting editorial regarding the $1bn+ River Bridge and Bayway expansion in Mobile that tells a cautionary tale about moving too fast for the sake of perceived progress.

LINK (http://www.al.com/opinion/press-register/insight.ssf?/base/opinion/1249809382186700.xml&coll=3)

[BlessedMobile]

Here's an interesting editorial regarding the $1bn+ River Bridge and Bayway expansion in Mobile that tells a cautionary tale about moving too fast for the sake of perceived progress.

LINK (http://www.al.com/opinion/press-register/insight.ssf?/base/opinion/1249809382186700.xml&coll=3)

Yes, it is a rehash of all we know about the PAST. This is not the 1930's or even the 1960's. I hardly think there is anything historic that would be destroyed and one can not possibly see anything that would damage the environment as we are talking a handful of pilings in ground that has long ago covered up whatever is buried there. I would not suggest another disaster like the Causeway as it has badly damaged the Bay. It was an interesting and informative article but I did see it as the usual scare tactic used by many who would not want a bridge but need to come up with an excuse to justify their opposition. Let the opponents have to deal with the terrible traffic jams that are taking place almost every day now and they would change their tune. Build the Bridge...Build it Now.

[quattordici]

Let's not forget all the CO2 that is emitted into the air when people sit, idling, for long periods of time when traffic is bad. So, I'd think that the environment benefits might outweigh the costs.

[SouthSky]

Yes, it is a rehash of all we know about the PAST. This is not the 1930's or even the 1960's. I hardly think there is anything historic that would be destroyed and one can not possibly see anything that would damage the environment as we are talking a handful of pilings in ground that has long ago covered up whatever is buried there. I would not suggest another disaster like the Causeway as it has badly damaged the Bay. It was an interesting and informative article but I did see it as the usual scare tactic used by many who would not want a bridge but need to come up with an excuse to justify their opposition. Let the opponents have to deal with the terrible traffic jams that are taking place almost every day now and they would change their tune. Build the Bridge...Build it Now.

I agree with the bridge, but didn't the P-R editorial staff already come out and advocate the bridge?

Anyways, the city/ALDOT need to plan to totally remove the Water street exit as we build the bridge. That was a bigger disaster than building the Wallace Tunnels.

[Bogue]

Sorry if this hijack's the thread, but bridge-builder proponents are, of course, making assumptions that commuting patterns won't change. Things have never and will never be static. Only a hundred years ago you barely even have cars in this area. 60 years ago there were barely any paved roads outside of town. Just building a road wider/bypass/bridge may not result in actually bettering a place. I think that's what the author of that article was talking about.

It would be infinitely better long-term if the money was spent on (A) a hurricane evac interstate spur to connect I-65 & -I-10 in Baldwin county (which could also serve to help evacuate the P-cola) & (B) a commuter rail project to connect those Eastern Shore suburbs with downtown & the airport. Commuters have already shown a willingness to use mass transit when gas prices spiked a while back. That they're already inching back towards $3-$4 a gallon just makes it more important that we put this economically sound idea into practice. The evac route (already planned & being pushed by the state) would take almost all of the beach-bound traffic off the Bayway in Spring/Summer and removing commuters (even if you only get half of them) w/ a light rail system would make an even further dent in the traffic.

Ultimately you can take half the local traffic off the Bayway entirely maybe more if gas prices continue to go up... & unless reliable electric/Hydrogen fuel cell cars come out soon to a mass market we're going to have a lot more push for this method of travel in the very near future anyway. Most folk won't pay $5 & $6 a gallon for a daily commute every single weekday (heck, 5 to 10 years from now when the bridge finally opens it could easily be $7 or $8 a gallon... or more). Certainly not for the gas-guzzlers popular in the Suburbs.

The bridge is, IMO, a prideful waste of money and an example of poor planning. There's zero need for it now (traffic issues on the Bayway are waaaaaay overstated and there's almost never traffic on the Causeway) and no concrete need for it tomorrow. The ONLY reason people want it built is to have a pretty new building to talk about.

[BlessedMobile]

I agree with the bridge, but didn't the P-R editorial staff already come out and advocate the bridge?

Anyways, the city/ALDOT need to plan to totally remove the Water street exit as we build the bridge. That was a bigger disaster than building the Wallace Tunnels.

The PR has advocated the bridge. This was a guest columnist who happened to be a local professor. I agree with you about the removal of the Water Street ramp to the tunnel; it would greatly enlarge the Ft. Conde area for development.

[Dyingyak]

Of course it doesn't mean they are ready to get started...but interesting after several years it's now comming up again.


via: Montgomery Advertiser
Outer Loop 3-mile segment readied for construction

The long-delayed Montgomery Outer Loop projects could be back on.

If federal dollars are made available through congressional earmarks, not federal stimulus money, the Alabama Department of Transportation will bid out the eastern leg of the work as soon as September or October. That work would connect Interstate 85 to Vaughn Road.

That three-mile stretch of work, which includes a costly interchange at I-85, could cost between $100 million to $120 million, according to ALDOT spokesman Tony Harris.

Although the work would only be three miles of the 20-mile Outer Loop, state Rep. Thad McClammy sees the new interest in the project as a significant victory.

"The journey to the Outer Loop begins with the first three miles," McClammy said Wednesday.

Although the funding for those three miles aren't in hand, Harris is optimistic.

"We've been talking to Congress and are hopeful additional federal funding can be made available to allow us to move forward with taking bids late this year," Harris said.

Doing the entire project, which is intended to relieve congestion and promote economic development, would cost between $400 million to $500 million. Harris said the state is prepared to contribute matching money and would likely be required to do so.

But until such federal funding is received, Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange is downplaying the fact a portion of the project is finally being prepared to be bid.

"The fact that we're teeing it up doesn't mean anything," Strange said during a Montgomery Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting on Wednesday.

Part of preparing for this possible funding meant putting two phases of the three-mile project in what is called the local Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which is intended to be a list of funded projects.

A formality, the change had to be done before the project could advance in the process.

John Lorentson, who is the Sixth Division Engineer for ALDOT, represented the state at the Wednesday MPO meeting. Lorentson said to the group that although the funding is still being sought, the projects should be added to the TIP so that it would be ready for construction this fall.

"We hope to have (the funding) soon, but we don't know," Lorentson said.

The two projects on the MPO's agenda would cost about $27 million to do, but they are only two parts of the six phases needed to build the Outer Loop from I-85 to Vaughn Road, which is in a mostly rural and residential area of the county.

The first phase, which cost $21.8 million, has already been finished, but no work has been done on the Outer Loop in the past few years.

The dormant project was given a lift in January when the Montgomery County Commission announced that it would work with a non-profit called Focus 2000 to study the feasibility of building it as a toll road through a public-private partnership.

Harris would not say whether the public-private partnership sparked new interest on the state or federal level, saying only that ALDOT was committed to building the Outer Loop as it was originally envisioned. Harris said the three-mile segment being readied for construction now would not be built as a toll road.

McClammy, an ardent supporter of the project through the years, most recently demonstrated that support by sending oversized two-foot by three-foot postcards -- with a picture of the abandoned project on one side and signatures of residents on the other -- to elected officials in Montgomery and Washington.

While he is fine with private enterprise picking up the project from Vaughn Road westward, he said the state has a "moral responsibility" to finish the project from I-85 to Vaughn Road.

"These are property owners. These are taxpayers. We acquired this property under the pretense that we were going to do the Outer Loop," McClammy said. "We made those promises. We should keep them.

"(Focus 2000) didn't make those promises. The great state of Alabama made those promises. Those are our promises to keep," McClammy added.

County Commission vice chairman Reed Ingram, who represents the area where the Outer Loop would begin, said undertaking the three-mile segment is positive, but added that the benefits of the Outer Loop would not be realized with this small portion.

"It'll help, but only for local residents. It won't do anything as far as economic development. It'll help people get home a little faster," Ingram said.

"You're really not getting anywhere until you get all the pieces," he added.

Ingram said he believed the state and federal government would fund the project from I-85 to Vaughn Road and that private enterprise would likely pick it up from Vaughn Road and continue it west to Troy Highway.

"I'm cautiously optmistic. You don't know if Focus 2000 is really going to come up with the money or not. You don't know. It really could be a road to nowhere," Ingram said.

To date, $52.9 million has been spent on the Outer Loop. Aside from the first phase of the ongoing six-phase project, that work included tasks such as a corridor study, right of way acquisition and preliminary engineering. As of this year, ALDOT has restarted its effort to acquire rights of way beyond Vaughn Road, according to Harris.

"We hope to have (the funding) soon, but we don't know," Lorentson said.

The two projects on the MPO's agenda would cost about $27 million to do, but they are only two parts of the six phases needed to build the Outer Loop from I-85 to Vaughn Road, which is in a mostly rural and residential area of the county.

The first phase, which cost $21.8 million, has already been finished, but no work has been done on the Outer Loop in the past few years.

The dormant project was given a lift in January when the Montgomery County Commission announced that it would work with a non-profit called Focus 2000 to study the feasibility of building it as a toll road through a public-private partnership.

Harris would not say whether the public-private partnership sparked new interest on the state or federal level, saying only that ALDOT was committed to building the Outer Loop as it was originally envisioned. Harris said the three-mile segment being readied for construction now would not be built as a toll road.

McClammy, an ardent supporter of the project through the years, most recently demonstrated that support by sending oversized two-foot by three-foot postcards -- with a picture of the abandoned project on one side and signatures of residents on the other -- to elected officials in Montgomery and Washington.

While he is fine with private enterprise picking up the project from Vaughn Road westward, he said the state has a "moral responsibility" to finish the project from I-85 to Vaughn Road.

"These are property owners. These are taxpayers. We acquired this property under the pretense that we were going to do the Outer Loop," McClammy said. "We made those promises. We should keep them.

"(Focus 2000) didn't make those promises. The great state of Alabama made those promises. Those are our promises to keep," McClammy added.

County Commission vice chairman Reed Ingram, who represents the area where the Outer Loop would begin, said undertaking the three-mile segment is positive, but added that the benefits of the Outer Loop would not be realized with this small portion.

"It'll help, but only for local residents. It won't do anything as far as economic development. It'll help people get home a little faster," Ingram said.

"You're really not getting anywhere until you get all the pieces," he added.

Ingram said he believed the state and federal government would fund the project from I-85 to Vaughn Road and that private enterprise would likely pick it up from Vaughn Road and continue it west to Troy Highway.

"I'm cautiously optmistic. You don't know if Focus 2000 is really going to come up with the money or not. You don't know. It really could be a road to nowhere," Ingram said.

To date, $52.9 million has been spent on the Outer Loop. Aside from the first phase of the ongoing six-phase project, that work included tasks such as a corridor study, right of way acquisition and preliminary engineering. As of this year, ALDOT has restarted its effort to acquire rights of way beyond Vaughn Road, according to Harris.

[ttownfeen]

PBS's newshow NewsHour did a segment on the northern loop. Naturally, it's tilted towards the NIMBYs and environmentalists.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/reports/zombie-highways/video-full-report/778/

[ttownfeen]

Plans for moving forward for the Eastern Bypass around Tuscaloosa. Of course, this being ALDOT, the pace is, as the T-News describes it, glacial. Always, environmentalists are all up in a tizzy.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20090815/NEWS/908149875

Here's a map I made of the proposed route. It's a rough estimate.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/feenotype/eastern_bypass.jpg

[bystander1]

This could be pretty promising if Alabama would get its head out of the sand...



Could Amtrak be on track to return to Montgomery?
By Jill Nolin • August 16, 2009

The 21,100-mile web of Amtrak rails run to more than 500 destinations in 46 states -- and the Montgomery area would like to be one them.

Local and state officials can imagine Montgomery being a link in that web, making it possible for riders to get on a train downtown and arrive in New York within 24 hours.

And they are doing more than just imagining it. They're trying to bring the romance of the train back to the Capital City. They are laying the groundwork for what they hope will lead to a return of Amtrak service on a line that from 1989 to 1995 connected Mobile, Montgomery and Birmingham.

Those who are working on bringing back the train route, which was once known as the Gulf Breeze line, believe it would be a boost for Alabama tourism if the city linked to a grid that stretches all over country.

"It would be just another tool in our toolbox," Mayor Todd Strange said of the economic impact of passenger rail service in Montgomery. "You can get here by water. You can get here by bus. You can get here by air. You can get here by car. You can get here by train. You just put in another way for people to get to Montgomery."

The line would also provide an alternative form of transportation for locals -- and one that advocates for the train's return believe will be more attractive in an age where the general public skeptically waits for gas prices to increase.

While freight trains continue to frequent the tracks through Montgomery, the likes of a passenger train will not be seen here for some time. The state must first complete a rail plan, and then a ridership study would have to be done to determine whether it would be feasible to offer the service here.

Amtrak has shown an interest in bringing back passenger rail service to the Mobile-to-Birmingham route. But the company will not look into it further until the state of Alabama finishes its homework.

"We'll help you get there. We'll operate the trains for you. But Alabama has to take the first step toward where you want to be and how you want to get there," said Todd Stennis, director of Government Affairs-South for Amtrak.

Stennis visited Montgomery this week to brief local officials on Amtrak's interest in increasing passenger rail service in the Southeast region, which Stennis said was currently under served.

Today, Amtrak does run one route in Alabama. The Crescent, which used to connect to the Gulf Breeze, connects directly to Atlanta and New Orleans.

[...] (http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090816/NEWS01/908160345&s=d&page=2#pluckcomments)

click here to read the entire article from the Montgomery Advertiser. (http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090816/NEWS01/908160345&s=d&page=2#pluckcomments)

[quattordici]

Some updates on road construction.

MORGAN COUNTY

Bridge resurfacing near Lacon is finished. Also, resurfacing of potholes on the roadway of I 65 is complete, and work zone has been dissolved.

TUSCALOOSA COUNTY

CAMPUS

McCorvey drive is shut down for some reason. I'm assuming they're either repaving or tarring the surface in order to repaint the striping to make it make more sense and improve traffic flow.

Park of the Burke parking lot has been shut down, I'm assuming for re striping. It might also be for the Foster renovation, but I'm not completely sure.

[quattordici]

A few updates:

Birmingham

I-65 widening north of downtown is almost complete. It appears that they just have some resurfacing to finish and some barriers to construct.

I-20/59 lighting is progressing and is in process at Malfunction Junction.

Barrels north of the widening on 65 is due to a resurfacing project on that stretch of the interstate. Widening of that portion of the highway should begin soon in order to make way for the new interchange.

Decatur

Bridge resurfacing north of the Lacon/Vinemont exit is complete.

US 31 is going to be reconstructed at the portion where it travels up Lacon Mountain. This is due to sliding of the roadway because of the recent heavy rainfall.

Tuscaloosa

I-20/59 resurfacing east of Tuscaloosa is complete. It seems like they're just taking their sweet time removing the barrels and stuff.

Also, a new cloverleaf ramp at the I-20/59-Buttermilk Road exit is being constructed. Leading from Buttermilk Road northbound to I-20/59 Westbound.

[Rail Claimore]

Also of note in the Huntsville/Decatur area:

The new I-65 interchange with Browns Ferry Road has been open for a few weeks now.

Parkway overpasses at Whitesburg and Weatherly Road should be open before January. The only work that's left is a few more layers of asphalt, some curb work, and signage.

[Roy McDowell]

I think it would be nice if US280 in Birmingham would model after Huntsville's Memorial Parkway with it's service roads in order to cut down on the long crazy back ups during rush hour. You could either elevate the service roads above 280 like the one highway in San Antonio and Austin with ramps exits or elevate the center. I'm all for using service roads to separate local traffic from express. I hear there was a proposal for this before.

[Sulley]

But Texas cities are so ugly with their freeways.

[| BRAVO |]

Memorial Parkway is ugly too. Blah.

[quattordici]

Yea... Memorial Parkway is a pavement field that stretches for miles.... that's pretty much all it is.

[ttownfeen]

Tuscaloosa attorney to run for House seat (http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20091105/news/911059973)

If elected, [Poole] said he would concentrate on 'transportation infrastructure' because 'we haven't received our fair share of transportation dollars in West Alabama for a number of years now.

'We have had targeted projects,' Poole said. 'But we have had very little in the way of new roads and those new roads open new areas for development and create new jobs ... and generate economic opportunity.'

I agree with his sentiment. I hope this can become an issue in the various local house and senate elections that are coming up next year.

[Roy McDowell]

But Texas cities are so ugly with their freeways.

yeah, but it's one of the few states that paint their tall ugly ramps and have stars on them that light up at night. :tup: Have you seen the nation's highest flyover ramps where US75 and I-635 meet north of Dallas. They don't look all that bad. Now if all states can start painting and putting on crazy designs then it wouldn't have to be so plain ugly. I think Australia have experimented with different forms of art work on their freeways to make it more interesting. Don't get me wrong there are some areas of Dallas with really ugly plain outdated ramps showing their age (ie. I-30, US80, I-20 at I-635 and I-20 at I-35E just to name a few).

[Rail Claimore]

I think it would be nice if US280 in Birmingham would model after Huntsville's Memorial Parkway with it's service roads in order to cut down on the long crazy back ups during rush hour. You could either elevate the service roads above 280 like the one highway in San Antonio and Austin with ramps exits or elevate the center. I'm all for using service roads to separate local traffic from express. I hear there was a proposal for this before.

Perhaps, but it's not a system without disadvantages. The reason Memorial Parkway has its setup is that Huntsville, a city that until recently was primarily oriented north-to-south, has no north-south interstate. Memorial Parkway's current form is a compromise between a high-mobility freeway and a high-accessibility arterial road. Parts of it are woefully outdated close to downtown with tight ramps and blind elevation changes. It's an inadequate design that can't readily be changed for the second-busiest highway in the state (only I-65 near downtown Birmingham has higher traffic counts).

US-280 in Birmingham would probably benefit most from having better traffic-signal synchronization and a few key overpasses at major intersections, but not the whole road.

[quattordici]

US 82 Btwn Tuscaloosa and Mississippi

On my way to Starkville yesterday for the Alabama/Miss State game I got a chance to see how the widening project is going. So far, they've got a divided road most of the way to Gordo. Both sides aren't in use, but they've got most of the construction done, seems like they've just got some paving left to do most of the way.

[ttownfeen]

US 82 Btwn Tuscaloosa and Mississippi

On my way to Starkville yesterday for the Alabama/Miss State game I got a chance to see how the widening project is going. So far, they've got a divided road most of the way to Gordo. Both sides aren't in use, but they've got most of the construction done, seems like they've just got some paving left to do most of the way.

They have to replace all the bridges on the old carriageway (the new carriageway is being used for both directions for now) on the 3 mile stretch over the Sipsey River valley.

There is no funding to widen US 82 from the Tuscaloosa county line to Reform at this time.

U.S. 82 widening project to end in 2010 (http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20081203/news/812020250?Title=U-S-82-widening-project-to-end-in-2010)

[ttownfeen]

Blasting on Interstate 20 where it goes through the "mountains" started today. The blasting is necessary because there is no room for the planned widening to six lanes.

Blasting to begin along I-20 in St. Clair County (http://blog.al.com/drivers-side/2009/11/blasting_to_begin_along_i-20_in_st_clair_county.html)

After this project is completed, I-20 will be six lanes east from Birmingham all the way to Logan Martin Lake.

[Rail Claimore]

Blasting on Interstate 20 where go through the "mountains" started today. The blasting is necessary because there is no room for the planned widening to six lanes.

Blasting to begin along I-20 in St. Clair County (http://blog.al.com/drivers-side/2009/11/blasting_to_begin_along_i-20_in_st_clair_county.html)

After this project is completed, I-20 will be six lanes east from Birmingham all the way to Logan Martin Lake.

They'd better raise the speed limit between Leeds and Pell City back to 70. That 55mph limit is a joke, and the wrecks only started occurring because moving the lanes toward the median barrier meant reducing sight distances. It's just another case of ALDOT being stupid as usual.

[quattordici]

They'd better raise the speed limit between Leeds and Pell City back to 70. That 55mph limit is a joke, and the wrecks only started occurring because moving the lanes toward the median barrier meant reducing sight distances. It's just another case of ALDOT being stupid as usual.

Don't bet on that 55 mph going up anytime soon. I wouldn't complain, nothing is worse than the speed limit changes that have been going on between Tuscaloosa and Birmingham for the past 4 to 5 years. There has been a 55 mph speed zone for at least 5 or 6 miles each year that I've been at Alabama. It really makes it hard to get anywhere at a reasonable time.

[Roy McDowell]

US-280 in Birmingham would probably benefit most from having better traffic-signal synchronization and a few key overpasses at major intersections, but not the whole road.

As we were discussing this earlier a coincidence just occurred. :)


Breaking news!! update about the US 280 corridor project..some of it is going to become elevated. Get ready to break out some change because it's going have tolls. (remind you of another city east of here..400) :cheers: Don't hold your breath but they say the project will be done in 3 years.

source: http://www.cbs42.com/mostpopular/story/Rileys-Plan-for-Highway-280/VyK1SF60cUeLFpIjm1tp2A.cspx (news clip showing the rendering)

Riley's Plan for Highway 280

If you've traveled Highway 280 during rush hours, you recognize the heavy slow traffic.

"The traffic on 280 is really bad. It has been for years," says Kristy Matthews.

"On the way to work today, I was just at a dead halt," says George Waits.

Today Governor Bob Riley unveiled a new plan to fix 280 by adding four toll lanes.

From Double Oak Mountain to and over I-459, the new lanes would be on an elevated road.

From I-459 to the Red Mountain Expressway, the road would be widened to add the four lanes, making a ten lane road at grade.

According to Riley, there would be no toll booths. Rather, drivers would use electronic passes.

"The idea of a toll road is probably one of the better ones I have heard of. As far as expanding, there's just not a whole lot of room," says Matthews.

"The idea of expanding lanes would be great," says Waits.

Only the new four lanes would require tolls. Nevertheless, many drivers aren't thrilled about the idea of paying to travel 280.

"As a college student I'm not really looking for another reason to take out a loan," says Waits.

"I don't think they should charge the people who live in those counties who would benefit from the roads every day," says Jack Cardinal.

Cardinal is the manager of Fox and Hound Pub and Grille. He's afraid the tolls would hurt 280 businesses.

"People are going to think twice about getting off if they have to pay a toll to get on and another toll to get off."

Because of potential noise and an unflattering look, a couple of years ago the elevated highway idea was shot down by Homewood, Mountain Brook, and Vestavia residents. Tonight Riley is hoping that residents who use the road, such as Kristy Matthews, will embrace this new solution.

"It's definitely past time to make a change and improve the conditions even if just a little bit on 280," says Matthews.

If the proposal moves forward, Governor Riley says the expansion would be completed in three years.

[Dyingyak]

US-280 in Birmingham would probably benefit most from having better traffic-signal synchronization and a few key overpasses at major intersections, but not the whole road.

I was speaking with a traffic engineer recently about US-280...you know the last time ALDOT or the MPO had the the signals synchronized? Over 7 years ago.....things have changed a lot during a 7 year period along 280. I think adjusting the timing would drastically improve some the back-ups and delays.

[Roy McDowell]

Sample rendering of the proposed elevated section of US 280...who likes this? :)

Source: http://www.elevatedhighway.blogspot.com/
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jrzu7EgqEQ8/Skq5yGC7zDI/AAAAAAAAAc4/_4aNENGXYCI/s1600/Picture%2B51.png

[Dyingyak]

Sample rendering of the proposed elevated section of US 280...who likes this? :)

I don't like it and think it's a terrible idea. In review some of the previous rendering I think the proportions are entirely wrong of the proposed overpass. It appears that in the renderings the overpass couldn't be nearly as wide as they say it will be. I'm not entirely familiar with ALDOT requirements but think about how wide a 4-lane road profile is with the appropriate shoulder widths.

The 280 overpass is really an attempt to out-build traffic which has been proven time and time again all around the country cannot be done.

[quattordici]

Sample rendering of the proposed elevated section of US 280...who likes this? :)

Source: http://www.elevatedhighway.blogspot.com/
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jrzu7EgqEQ8/Skq5yGC7zDI/AAAAAAAAAc4/_4aNENGXYCI/s1600/Picture%2B51.png

It's not as imposing as you would think it would be, but it's still obscene. Plus, what is that college student talking about? I thought the tolls were only going to for the elevated portion. Maybe I read it wrong, I dunno.

Either way, how does this kid expect anything to get done in a state that doesn't allocate enough money to its transport department? We have to get things done some how...

[Dyingyak]

It's not as imposing as you would think it would be, but it's still obscene.

It absolutely would be...and worse. Consider only that one rendering with the massive shadow that overpass would create and the lack of a tolerable environment underneath. Those plants would never survive and I highly doubt the final design would be anything near as reminiscent of that image.

Considering the engineering community in which I work and having spent plenty of time with municipalities, county commissions, MPOs and ALDOT...I feel extremely confident in saying that drawing is skewed enough to make it look like it wouldn't be "too bad."

[Sulley]

Oh, Alabama, why are you so retarded?

[ttownfeen]

Why not make this thing unidirectional? So instead of needing four lanes and a median plus two emergency lanes (which doesn't seem like it's going to fit unto a bridge that narrow anyway), all you need is two (or threes) travel lanes and one emergency lane?

This tollway isn't going to have exits between the end points is it?

[Rail Claimore]

I was speaking with a traffic engineer recently about US-280...you know the last time ALDOT or the MPO had the the signals synchronized? Over 7 years ago.....things have changed a lot during a 7 year period along 280. I think adjusting the timing would drastically improve some the back-ups and delays.

I'm not in Birmingham very often, but when I'm there two or three times a year, I'm almost always on 280. The absolute worst stretch is between The Summit and Valleydale. Those lights are not synchorized at all, and each direction has only two thru-lanes over 459, so traffic is squeezed on top of that.

On the toll-road proposal for 280, I'm not sure it's feasible. Despite the conveniences of electronic toll collection, I'm not sure Alabamians, even in Birmingham, would be very receptive of the idea. And while US 280 traffic could surge in the coming years, generally speaking, you need 20,000 vehicles per lane per day for tolling to be viable. I'm not sure tolled portions will get that much use outside of peak periods.

[quattordici]

The only way to fix 280 is to figure out some really innovative ways to get people to use public transit. A commuter line would be fantastic, but it wouldn't fix anything, considering that most people don't work along 280, they just use it to get to various job locations that are miles off the beaten path.

[Roy McDowell]

:previous: If they can build something elevated then they might as well throw some tracks or guide way for monorail or light rail. As for working along 280 there actually are many businesses lined along the corridor where people work. Now someone who living in Homewood could always park their car at a station lot and when they arrive at another station further south they can always take a feeder shuttle that can do circular runs to and from the office parks. I've seen this method work successfully in another metro.

[Dyingyak]

I just don't think there is the density of residential or commercial (work-related) locations along the 280 corridor to support a transit system. But then again it gets back to the discussion of what comes first...the density to support the transit, or the transit to influence the density and development.

The over-riding issue though in our State is the lack of control that counties and municipalities have over property development. Our legislature (constitution) just doesn't provide the proper tools to control growth at the county and municipal level. For crying out loud...Hoover doesn't even have, or ever had, a Comprehensive Plan to direct their growth!

[Rail Claimore]

I just don't think there is the density of residential or commercial (work-related) locations along the 280 corridor to support a transit system. But then again it gets back to the discussion of what comes first...the density to support the transit, or the transit to influence the density and development.

The over-riding issue though in our State is the lack of control that counties and municipalities have over property development. Our legislature (constitution) just doesn't provide the proper tools to control growth at the county and municipal level. For crying out loud...Hoover doesn't even have, or ever had, a Comprehensive Plan to direct their growth!

There are probably only 7 or 8 cities in the entire state with real planning departments that have teeth. They tend to be the cities that actually look like cities and not just overgrown subdivisions. You can see it here in my part of the state. Madison, from a macro perspective, looks like someone just barfed on a map, and its roads, despite being recently widened, are sub par. Southeast Huntsville, on the other hand, has a noticeable order to it. It's the little things such as curbs on streets, streetlights, sidewalks, etc that make the difference.

[B'ham Bound]

The elevated lanes would be a monstrosity but it would be a terrible and embarrassing failure if the project was not built to accommodate light rail lines -- either immediately, or at least in the future. Even car-dependent, hyper-auto Atlanta got that right with GA 400.

[quattordici]

So, I've done a lot of driving in the past three days, so I have a bunch of news.

I 65

Repaving around the Walkers Chapel Road exit is progressing nicely and has greatly improved the driving conditions of that stretch of road.

US 431 Between Eufala and Phenix City

Widening from two to four lands is progressing, it was night so I couldn't see much. It appears that the divided highway is finished, and there are just some final paving and striping to be done. But, I can't be sure, again it was very dark.

I 65 South of Cahaba Valley Road to Alabaster

Widening is progressing. I was dark, so I couldn't see what all was being done.

I 65 north of Malfunction Junction

Widening is finished, the basics are being finished upright now. Barriers, road quality, etc...

Boll Weevil Circle - Enterprise

Widening of the circle from AL 167 to (or past I'm not sure) the turn off for Geneva is still ongoing, but appears to be near completion. This is another one where it was dark, very dark.

I 85 at East Boulevard - Montgomery

Interchange bridge widening is complete.

I 65 north of I 85 interchange

Widening is still ongoing. It appears that the roadbed is complete. The only thing left, it appears, is the paving to bring the road surface up to grade with the existing roadway.

That's about it, there isn't much else I can think of.

[Dyingyak]

US 431 Between Eufala and Phenix City

Widening from two to four lands is progressing, it was night so I couldn't see much. It appears that the divided highway is finished, and there are just some final paving and striping to be done. But, I can't be sure, again it was very dark.



It'll be a cold day in hell when that project is finished. I believe they started the 4-laning of 431 between Phenix City and Dothan over 30 years ago.

[neilson]

It'll be a cold day in hell when that project is finished. I believe they started the 4-laning of 431 between Phenix City and Dothan over 30 years ago.
They did eventually get 280 between Birmingham and Phenix City 4 laned the whole way.

[quattordici]

So, I just got home from Tuscaloosa. I'm finally home for the holidays! At least, until I have to be back in Ttown to fly to Los Angeles ;)

So, here are some updates for road construction between Tuscaloosa and Decatur.

I-20/59 Repaving - Tuscaloosa

Seems like everything is finished. The speed is back up to 70 mph, so you can now drive 70 mph all the way from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham. HOWEVER, there are some odd punctures in the roadway. I don't know where they came from, they just look really weird and out of place, but they definitely weren't put there intentionally. So, it looks like those will have to be repaired.

This is a long with some hillside damage that was cause by this week's massive amounts of rain that caused some hillslides along the road side. Someone needs to tell ALDOT that this is what happens when the most substantial vegetation you have on your roadside is grass... things tend to not hold together nicely. Get some mimosas or something....

I-65/I-22/US 31 Interchange - North Birmingham

I can see progress! The widening is almost finished, though it seems to be in the same status as the last time I updated.

What's different?

They've actually started clearing out vegetation, and you can actually see, yes SEE the roadway cut coming in from the west. I'm going to try and create a graphic with Bing maps or Google maps so I can really tell you what I saw.

I-65 around Cullman

I don't know what's going on here. I mean, they've finished the great wall of 65, but they've got these wooden stakes out in the median. Don't know what they're for, so if anyone has any idea, tell me.

That's it for now. If I'm able to draw up a map, I'll post it later.

[quattordici]

I came up with a graphic! :)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4176819935_287fab6496_o.jpg

NOTE: The only part that I'm sure about is the part that has all the squares. I'm not sure if the interstate is gonna fly over 65 and immediately hit 31 like that.

[Rail Claimore]

I've got a very important update from Huntsville: The Weatherly and Whitesburg overpasses on the Parkway have opened as of this past Wednesday. There's still two months left of work, mainly with landscaping and signage, but the roadway is open. It's cut my morning and afternoon commutes by a good 15 minutes.

[philopdx]

Any progress on Montgomery's much-fabled outer loop?

[Dyingyak]

Two days worth of new information on an elevated 280 and no new posts? I'm surprised.

http://blog.al.com/drivers-side/2009/12/post_9.html
http://blog.al.com/drivers-side/2009/12/post_10.html

Still an overly expensive and wasteful endeavor in my opinion. I was at the intersection of Dolly Ridge and US-280 last night where they show the rendering of the underpass, and there is no way their graphic representation will fit without using every inch of ROW and then some more.

[| BRAVO |]

I can't help but be leery of the timeline. Seems a bit ambitious for Aldot. :rolleyes:

Other than that I have no opinion. I avoid 280 at all costs and suspect I will continue to do so.

[| BRAVO |]

I will say I was terribly thrilled to see the widening of I-20 through St. Clair County progressing nicely. It should be six lanes all the way to Oxford in my opinion.

That is one scary stretch of highway.

[ttownfeen]

What parts of I-20 between B'ham and Oxford remain to the be three-laned? I think all of I-20 between B'ham and the Coosa River is three-laned except for the part through the Karr Gap.

[| BRAVO |]

What parts of I-20 between B'ham and Oxford remain to the be three-laned? I think all of I-20 between B'ham and the Coosa River is three-laned except for the part through the Karr Gap.


The bridge over Lake Logan Martin to just beyond the race track is 2 lanes. It picks up 3 lanes after the track to the Calhoun county line then it's the 2-lane \bone-jarring\ concrete into Oxford.

[| BRAVO |]

Oh yeah... from the I-20/59 split to Oporto Madrid Blvd is 2 lanes as well --- right through the middle of East Birmingham ---

[sabre0link]

Re: 280 interchange at 459...

But but but.. they just FINISHED that (ok, in the past year or two, but still! And my sense of time has warped lately... :\).. and now they want to tear it up? *sigh*

Re: the wacky use of toll lanes...

*sigh*

Dolly Ridge could be done that way... lane shifts and regrading the hill would likely help out a lot.. Trying to get my head around the overpass at Lakeshore/Shades Creek (149) and then the underpass at Cherokee... and then an overpass at Rocky Ridge.......... Shades Mountain Cut, anyone?

My absolute least favorite thing is turning left out of the Summit onto 280... there's been NUMEROUS times when there's been 4 lanes of traffic turning left out of the Summit onto 3 lane 280....

*grumble*

Minor rants aside... I wanted to toss in a few updates I found regarding the Northern Beltway (designation 959)..

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/12/northern_beltline_work_set_to.html

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/reports/zombie-highways/overview/782/

:)

[Rail Claimore]

:previous: You'd think 3 left-turn lanes would be enough, especially considering it's the only place in the state I'm aware of with that characteristic.

959? Shouldn't the first digit be even?

[quattordici]

It's designated as 422 so that it can receive Appalachian development funding.

EDIT:

I just read the article. Odd, I never heard about it being labeled 959

[sabre0link]

:previous: You'd think 3 left-turn lanes would be enough, especially considering it's the only place in the state I'm aware of with that characteristic.

What ends up happening is that people get in the straight lane, and speed up to get in front of those in the furthest right, left-hand turn lane...

What's really great about it, is you'd think it was people that couldn't merge into the left turn lane... nope. I've seen people LEAVE those left turn lanes, get into the straight lane, then speed up to get in front of those turning left...

I normally see one car do this silly stunt.. the other day I saw 3.. they followed each other through the turn...

Summit Blvd's my quickest, easiest access to 459S... so I get to deal with this whenever I'm driving that way (which is at least 85% of the time... LOL)

Bleh.

Yay /rant.

[sabre0link]

It's designated as 422 so that it can receive Appalachian development funding.

EDIT:

I just read the article. Odd, I never heard about it being labeled 959

Same.. I thought it was designated with a ?22 number as well, but seeing as neither end touched 22, I couldn't see how it'd actually be feasible.. (unique, though).

459 ends at 59 (or 59/20) on both ends.. the N.B. will do the same, though there were talks of extending it from 59 to 20, which would make a designation with 20 as it's base..

However, if the N.B. had been in continual construction since 459 was finished, it likely would carry the 459 designation, given it would be a loop and not end up being a spiral.

To refresh my miniscule brain, i searched to find stuff... with some real official designations...

959 = State designation
422 = (potential) Interstate designation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corridor_X-1
http://www.bhamwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Northern_Beltline
http://www.bhammpo.org/docs/BNB.pdf

[Rail Claimore]

It will do little to relieve traffic bound for Atlanta from Memphis or vice versa, since there's still no true direct route. Traffic through downtown will still have to deal with the junction and traffic taking the northern bypass will have to go southwest on 59 and catch 459 south to 20 east. Extending the northeast segment to meet I-20 should be in the plans. That or bridging the gap between 65 and the 20/59 split. The latter seems easy enough as the ROW taken would be primarily from industrial areas. The only issue would be the cemetery.

[quattordici]

Anyone wanna get up and dance a happy dance with me? :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Special May 21 ALDOT Project Letting for I-22 Corridor Interchange (http://www.dot.state.al.us/Docs/Bureaus/Office+Engineer/Project+Letting/ntc_05212010.htm.htm)

[neilson]

Anyone wanna get up and dance a happy dance with me? :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Special May 21 ALDOT Project Letting for I-22 Corridor Interchange (http://www.dot.state.al.us/Docs/Bureaus/Office+Engineer/Project+Letting/ntc_05212010.htm.htm)
Hell to the F'ing YEAH.

So, that means by July, construction begins?

And if it's gonna take 4 years to finish the project then hey that's ok. At least it's gonna get done.

[quattordici]

Hell to the F'ing YEAH.

So, that means by July, construction begins?

And if it's gonna take 4 years to finish the project then hey that's ok. At least it's gonna get done.

Haha, I was actually getting worried that it wasn't gonna happen anymore. I mean, I'd heard some news about it a few months ago, but hadn't heard anything recently. Either way, I'm glad we know it's gonna happen now.

[quattordici]

Construction contract awarded for Corridor X completion

The $168.6 Million contract was awarded to Atlanta based Archer Western Contractors. Construction is scheduled to start in July and must be completed by October 15, 2014.

This is the largest project ever undertaken by ALDOT. The interchange will link Future I-22 to I-65 just north of downtown Birmingham.

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :banana: :banana: :cheers: :banana: :cheers: :D

[quattordici]

So, they've slapped the new signage up along I-65 in both north Birmingham and Montgomery. And lemme tell you, they're some nice signs. Very legible from a distance and effective.

[thoraudio]

just a note. Anybody who would push for a Montgomery - Meridian extension of 85 for 'economic' reasons needs to ride along the ghost highway and soon to be ghost towns of 5/old 78.

My Grandfather (who passed away in 97) used to talk about how great Corridor X was going to be, and how it would bring prosperity to Jasper. Now, people fly by Dora and Sumiton and the rest at 75 mph and never give them a second thought or any $.

[bystander1]

just a note. Anybody who would push for a Montgomery - Meridian extension of 85 for 'economic' reasons needs to ride along the ghost highway and soon to be ghost towns of 5/old 78.


Well, it couldn't hurt any worse.

[Dyingyak]

just a note. Anybody who would push for a Montgomery - Meridian extension of 85 for 'economic' reasons needs to ride along the ghost highway and soon to be ghost towns of 5/old 78.

My Grandfather (who passed away in 97) used to talk about how great Corridor X was going to be, and how it would bring prosperity to Jasper. Now, people fly by Dora and Sumiton and the rest at 75 mph and never give them a second thought or any $.

It's a toss-up...you loose the transient tax collections and such but you increase the chance you'll have of business and industrial development within your area because of the improved connectivity.

We've been seeing a lot of chatter at work about potential industrial development in the Jasper area that wouldn't have happened if it were not for Corridor X.

It is a risky trade-off that could pay-off big if the community has the right leadership in place to recruit worthy industry and development. But if the community is insistent on staying stagnant because "we like the things they way they are" they are going to be bleed dry.

[thoraudio]

Well, it couldn't hurt any worse.

I'd say it could. And of course, we know that my opinion is fact. :D

I've never understood why we're in such tizzy to make it easier and faster for people get through, get out, and go around. Is the Montgomery outer loop actually going to ADD to the city? Or just make it easier to avoid?

I've driven 78 to Jasper for years.... When I was a kid, it took about 5 hours, with interstate construction in Bham, and even after I-65 was completed there was the adventure of going from 65 to 20/59 at malfunction junction then trying to cross 4 lanes of traffic in less than a mile to make the 78/Arkadelphia exit.

78 was a fun hour though. The fake cop in Sumiton, Uncle Mort's, that Ice Cream stand/hamburger joint just as you crossed the Black Warrior, the Green Top BBQ and Wesley's Boobie Trap... ok, well I never stopped at that one.

But now, 5/old 78 is a literal ghost town. and nothing is popping up on 78/future 22.

Yes, it only takes me 2 hours from my house to Smith Lake, but is it worth it? :shrug:

There IS a solution for the Black Belt, but nobody is willing to take the draconian steps required.

[bystander1]

I may be tempted to visit Mississippi if we had a faster link to the west.

[quattordici]

Just looked at the ALDOT project letting list (http://www.dot.state.al.us/Docs/Bureaus/Office+Engineer/Project+Letting/NTCJUL3010.HTML.htm) website, some notable projects:

-Auburn interchange on I-85 with Beehive Road

-It would appear that an overpass on Research Park Boulevard in Huntsville to cross over SR-53 is on it's way.

-Streetscaping projecct in Tuscaloosa along Greensboro Ave is a go.

That was pretty much all of the significant stuff. There were a few pedestrian improvement projects in the Birmingham area, in Trussville and Homewood, it was nice to see ALDOT undertaking some of those projects.

[quattordici]

I-22/I-65/US 31 Interchange Construction to begin on August 1st (http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/07/birmingham_i-65corridor_x_proj.html)

Get ready for some delays on I-65 folks. It appears that I-65 will be 12 lanes wide at the interchange in north Birmingham. Bid letting for the I-22/US 31 interchange will occur in 2011.

Sounds like it's gonna be an interesting 3 to 4 years.

[ttownfeen]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/feenotype/726interchangejpg-04b358460fbde99c_large.jpg

[quattordici]

Work on I-65 between I-459 and US 31 will begin soon. This is supposed to be the reconstructing that the MPO decided on a while back. Basically, it's just repaving, lighting, drainage, etc...

[*BRAVO*]

Hallelujah!

[SouthSky]

According to the Mobile MPO I-10's widening (1 lane addition each way) between Carol Plantation Road and Halls Mill Creek should be underway as of December 3. I haven't been west of the 10/65 since around that time so I can't be sure it has kicked off yet.

This area starts just outside the area Mobile recently annexed around the Tillman's Corner/90 exit and ends at the current 6-lane at Halls Mill Creek. This comes to about 3 more miles of 6 laned 10 to the southwest of the city... a very welcomed start.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e36/ellisb123/10expan.jpg

[Port_of_Bama]

About time ! I always felt that I-10 should have had lanes added out that way.It would be nice if they would add lighting.I-10 west is dark after about 2/3 of a mile.

[ttownfeen]

I see that down in Centreville, they are doing some clearing to continue the US Hwy 82-Brent/Centreville Bypass. Maybe, if the planets align correctly, by the dawn of the 22nd Century, we will finally get 82 four-laned from the Mississippi state line to Montgomery.

[SouthSky]

Mobile I-10 Widening Project officially starts:

Fox 10 WALA (http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/alabama/crews-widening-i10-west-of-mobile)

[quattordici]

Birmingham Biz Journal reports that Governor Bentley is looking at toll roads as a way to make up for lost federal transportation dollars.

I think this is great news. No one particularly likes toll roads, but if sulking because of lost federal money is the alternative, I'm all for it. Besides, the amount of time some toll roads could cut from a trip via a public highway could be considerably less than the amount of money you spend on gas on the crowded roads. Not every situation will be like that. Either way, this will enable to state to construct projects that have been needed for years. It's the reason Orlando, FL is able to keep pace.

[Dyingyak]

Birmingham Biz Journal reports that Governor Bentley is looking at toll roads as a way to make up for lost federal transportation dollars.

I think this is great news. No one particularly likes toll roads, but if sulking because of lost federal money is the alternative, I'm all for it. Besides, the amount of time some toll roads could cut from a trip via a public highway could be considerably less than the amount of money you spend on gas on the crowded roads. Not every situation will be like that. Either way, this will enable to state to construct projects that have been needed for years. It's the reason Orlando, FL is able to keep pace.

I agree with you, they are a necessary evil that we're going to have to consider. Most citizens and motorist don't understand the hidden costs that are involved with maintaining a transportation network with a decent level of service. I just hope they projects that are chosen as toll roads are reasonable projects that have the potential of paying off in a respectable amount of time.

[Tourian]

Work on I-65 between I-459 and US 31 will begin soon. This is supposed to be the reconstructing that the MPO decided on a while back. Basically, it's just repaving, lighting, drainage, etc...

As anyone who lives around this area and has to use this section of interstate probably already knows - this project is very treacherous. There have been several accidents and the State Troopers and Hoover are set up looking to write tickets, its typically 45mph through the zone. Don't mess around.

I can't believe it is this much of a project to freshen this section and not add another lane - but it is the roughest nastiest section of interstate in town.

[quattordici]

As anyone who lives around this area and has to use this section of interstate probably already knows - this project is very treacherous. There have been several accidents and the State Troopers and Hoover are set up looking to write tickets, its typically 45mph through the zone. Don't mess around.

I can't believe it is this much of a project to freshen this section and not add another lane - but it is the roughest nastiest section of interstate in town.

I think that traffic would flow more freely if people weren't worried about their tires erupting in epic fashion. That's just my opinion on why they aren't adding lanes.

Either way, I was driving home last weekend, and I stopped in Hoover to take some pictures at Moss Rock Preserve (very beautiful BTW). I was getting on I65N to get outta town, starting at 459. My gosh, it was like 6:30 and traffic was backed up from 459 all the way to the junction.

[SouthSky]

Airport Blvd in Mobile future plans:

http://www.cityofmobile.org/airportblvdstudy.php

[quattordici]

Per the ALDOT Project Letting list

LINK (http://alletting.dot.state.al.us/WEBPROPS/2011/NTCJul2911.htm)

Montgomery Outer Loop: ~$70,000,000 - $85,000,000

5.5 km, from AL 110 to I-85.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Airport Blvd in Mobile future plans:

http://www.cityofmobile.org/airportblvdstudy.php

This will certainly make things a bit better to get around... Trying to get to Acadamy Sports can be an insane nightmare! I am glad our home is on the eastern shore, so I don't have to go over there often. But this ya'll will be amazing if it is completed to its best extent!

[brad0022]

I get that AL does not have the money but I really feel like it is justified to make 65 three lanes all the way from north Prattville to south Birmingham. Lots of truck, commuter, vacation, etc traffic currently and it will only get worse especially since 65 is a hurricane evacuation route. It's wishful thinking but would really help out with all the frickin wrecks that happen on 65.

[quattordici]

I get that AL does not have the money but I really feel like it is justified to make 65 three lanes all the way from north Prattville to south Birmingham. Lots of truck, commuter, vacation, etc traffic currently and it will only get worse especially since 65 is a hurricane evacuation route. It's wishful thinking but would really help out with all the frickin wrecks that happen on 65.

As for the evacuation, contraflow usually only goes as far north as MGM. But, yea, it really should be 6 laned all the way to Birmingham. Hell, 65 should be 6 laned from south of MGM to Decatur.

I think eventually you'll see the 6 lane from BHM to MGM, it's just gonna take a while. We're actually seeing a lot of progress on our roads, statewide. Dunno if anyone's noticed, but there's A LOT of work going on.

[ttownfeen]

When are they ever going to widen 82 all the way from Tuscaloosa to Montgomery?

[quattordici]

When are they ever going to widen 82 all the way from Tuscaloosa to Montgomery?

Probably sometime between now and 2030. It's gonna take a while, they seem to be doing it section by tiny tiny section. The one their building right now in Centreville isn't but a few miles long. As of now though, I don't think there are any concrete plans, as least not THIS fiscal year.