The Commissioners are considering a resolution on this issue, and it is very important that they hear from all concerned citizens, especially those who live and work along the U.S. 280 corridor in Shelby County.
The address of the meeting is: 200 West College Street, Columbiana, AL 35051, Phone (205) 669-3740. Please plan to attend this important and informative meeting!
6/15/10
June 28th: ReThink280 to Present to Shelby County Commission
Please plan to attend the meeting of the Shelby County Commission on Monday, June 28, 2010, at 5:00pm. ALDOT will present its Highway 280 elevated highway/toll road proposal at 5:00pm. ReThink280 will present its alternative plan at 5:30pm.
6/10/10
Can ALDOT Listen on U.S. 280?
Hasn't our region grown too big to build large road projects with no community planning? We think so, and so do Birmingham's Metropolitan Planning Organization and Regional Planning Commission. In our recent opinion piece (see below), ReThink280 challenges ALDOT to work with area cities, stakeholders, and the MPO/RPC for a sensible, sustainable solution for U.S. 280.
Read the entire article by clicking here
Read the entire article by clicking here
6/9/10
Shelby Commission to Vote Soon on U.S. 280
Shelby Considers 280 Plan
by Malcomb Daniels -- The Birmingham News
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The Shelby County Commission on Monday may become the latest government to take up a resolution that urges the state to take action in improving traffic on U.S. 280. The Alabama Department of Transporation has on the table plans for an elevated toll highway on U.S. 280 from Eagle Point to I-459, and added toll lanes up to the Elton B. Stephens Expressway.
Several Birmingham area governments have passed resolutions that either urge ALDOT to move forward with its plans, or to look for alternatives. Meanwhile, ALDOT officials have said that Gov. Bob Riley and ALDOT Director Joe McInnes are not going to move ahead with the $800 million project without a consensus from local governments.
(c) 2010 al.com - All rights reserved.
Shelby County has considered at least one proposal that would throw the county's support behind ALDOT's elevated toll road concept and urge the state to keep moving ahead with plans to fix traffic problems on U.S. 280. "We're definitely encouraging them to continue the process of studying the problem and finding a solution for it," Commissioner Corley Ellis said.
Hoover, Chelsea, and Westover have passed resolutions in support of ALDOT's efforts to ease congestion on 280. Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills have passed resolutions urging ALDOT to move forward with some kind of improvements, while not endorsing the current plans. Homewood has passed a resolution opposing ALDOT's plans for an elevated highway. Birmingham, where council members have voiced opposition to an elevated highway, passed a resolution expressing concerns, but did not come straight out against ALDOT's plans.
William Sweet, president of the Inverness Master Homeowners Association, recently presented Shelby County with a list of concerns about the project, including the elevated portion, noise, and what impact the road might have on businesses. Sweet said his group believes the inclusion of a mass transit component for U.S. 280 is going to be vital for any improvments to the highway to work.
by Malcomb Daniels -- The Birmingham News
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The Shelby County Commission on Monday may become the latest government to take up a resolution that urges the state to take action in improving traffic on U.S. 280. The Alabama Department of Transporation has on the table plans for an elevated toll highway on U.S. 280 from Eagle Point to I-459, and added toll lanes up to the Elton B. Stephens Expressway.
Several Birmingham area governments have passed resolutions that either urge ALDOT to move forward with its plans, or to look for alternatives. Meanwhile, ALDOT officials have said that Gov. Bob Riley and ALDOT Director Joe McInnes are not going to move ahead with the $800 million project without a consensus from local governments.
(c) 2010 al.com - All rights reserved.
Shelby County has considered at least one proposal that would throw the county's support behind ALDOT's elevated toll road concept and urge the state to keep moving ahead with plans to fix traffic problems on U.S. 280. "We're definitely encouraging them to continue the process of studying the problem and finding a solution for it," Commissioner Corley Ellis said.
Hoover, Chelsea, and Westover have passed resolutions in support of ALDOT's efforts to ease congestion on 280. Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills have passed resolutions urging ALDOT to move forward with some kind of improvements, while not endorsing the current plans. Homewood has passed a resolution opposing ALDOT's plans for an elevated highway. Birmingham, where council members have voiced opposition to an elevated highway, passed a resolution expressing concerns, but did not come straight out against ALDOT's plans.
William Sweet, president of the Inverness Master Homeowners Association, recently presented Shelby County with a list of concerns about the project, including the elevated portion, noise, and what impact the road might have on businesses. Sweet said his group believes the inclusion of a mass transit component for U.S. 280 is going to be vital for any improvments to the highway to work.
5/11/10
5/3/10
Proposed Transporation Amendment Funds 280/459 Interchange Study, JeffCo Transit
The proposed $1B transportation amendment passed last month by the State legislature includes dedicated funding for Jefferson County transit and funds for a study of congestion relief for the U.S. 280/I-459 interchange. A study to add flyovers and eliminate the two traffic lights at the interchange could also be paid for out of the bill. Voters will determine the amendment’s fate when we go to the polls in November.
Read the entire article by clicking here
Read the entire article by clicking here
4/28/10
One More Reason to Oppose Expanding Hwy. 280
It's simple: Added lanes means added traffic. And that means more particle and ozone pollution in a city already struggling with poor air quality and the associated effects on our health and quality of life. Birmingham ranks No. 5 in the nation for the worst places for particle pollution -- right up there with Los Angeles! -- and No. 19 for ozone pollution. The solution to U.S. 280 must do something more than just put more cars on the road. It's time to ReThink 280! To learn more, click these links:
"Birmingham's Air Quality Improves, But Still Among Nation's Worst" (B'ham News, 4/28/10)
"Birmingham Ranks High for Asthma Problems" (B'ham News, 4/22/10)
"Birmingham's Air Quality Improves, But Still Among Nation's Worst" (B'ham News, 4/28/10)
"Birmingham Ranks High for Asthma Problems" (B'ham News, 4/22/10)
4/27/10
City of Birmingham Seeks a Better Solution
The Birmingham City Council this afternoon officially expressed its desire to find a better solution than ALDOT's to the problem of U.S. 280 congestion. After some discussion, the wording of the Council's resolution was softened from "opposing" ALDOT's plan to expressing "major concerns with the current proposal." In other words, the City has "major concerns" when it comes to the ALDOT plan's financial feasibility, its ability to accommodate mass transit, its environmental impact, and its effects on adjacent neighborhoods and businesses. Thanks to all who made sure their voices were heard in advance of this important vote.
Click here to read the resolution
News coverage:
http://www.myfoxal.com/Global/story.asp?S=12385949
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/04/birmingham_city_council_soften.html
Click here to read the resolution
News coverage:
http://www.myfoxal.com/Global/story.asp?S=12385949
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/04/birmingham_city_council_soften.html
4/26/10
Vestavia Hills Votes for I-459 Fix, Collaboration on U.S. 280
The Vestavia Hills City Council has voted unanimously in favor of seeking alternative ways to address congestion on U.S. 280, recommending a fix to the U.S. 280/I-459 interchange as a possible good first step. Noting that ALDOT has already completed some design work for improvements to that interchange--deemed by most to be a major traffic bottleneck in the corridor--the Council in its resolution encouraged ALDOT to pursue that fix by completing the design work and studying the likely relief this step would provide. The Council also recommended the collaboration of ALDOT and the Greater Birmingham Regional Planning Commission in the development of plans to address congestion on the roadway. Involve the RPC in this decision? Now there's an awesome idea. Go, Vestavia Hills!
4/23/10
Shelby County Homeowners Group Supports ReThink280
Meadow Brook, a community of nearly 900 homes in unincorporated Shelby County, held its Spring General Membership Homeowners Association meeting on April 13th. The featured speaker was ReThink280 Co-Chair Marc Beaumont, who made a presentation about the ReThink280 alternative to ALDOT's elevated toll road.
At the end of the meeting, the Homeowners Association polled the members and found 98% in favor of the ReThink280 plan, 2% not in favor of either plan, and 0% in favor of the ALDOT elevated toll highway proposal. The Meadow Brook Homeowners Association voted affirmatively to make it known that it supports the ReThink280 proposal and has sent a letter notifying both the Shelby County Commission and the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce of its decision. Thanks for the support!!
At the end of the meeting, the Homeowners Association polled the members and found 98% in favor of the ReThink280 plan, 2% not in favor of either plan, and 0% in favor of the ALDOT elevated toll highway proposal. The Meadow Brook Homeowners Association voted affirmatively to make it known that it supports the ReThink280 proposal and has sent a letter notifying both the Shelby County Commission and the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce of its decision. Thanks for the support!!
4/20/10
Birmingham 280 Vote Postponed 'Til 4/27
WE URGE ALL BIRMINGHAM RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS to contact their elected officials and ask them to oppose ALDOT's plans for a toll road and elevated highway on U.S. 280. Demand a more sustainable and fiscally responsible solution to traffic congestion that does not promote sprawl or harm the commercial and residential interests along the corridor. They need to hear from you! Please make your opinion known before the 4/27 vote.
Mayor William A. Bell, 205-254-2277
Birmingham City Council:
Lashunda Scales, lashunda.scales@birminghamal.gov
Kim Rafferty, kim.rafferty@birminghamal.gov
Valerie Abbott, valerie.abbott@birminghamal.gov
Maxine Herring Parker, maxine.parker@birminghamal.gov
Johnathan F. Austin, johnathan.austin@birminghamal.gov
Carole C Smitherman, carole.smitherman@birminghamal.gov
James "Jay" Roberson, Jr., jay.roberson@birminghamal.gov
Steven W. Hoyt, steven.hoyt@birminghamal.gov
Roderick Royal, roderick.royal@birminghamal.gov
Mayor William A. Bell, 205-254-2277
Birmingham City Council:
Lashunda Scales, lashunda.scales@birminghamal.gov
Kim Rafferty, kim.rafferty@birminghamal.gov
Valerie Abbott, valerie.abbott@birminghamal.gov
Maxine Herring Parker, maxine.parker@birminghamal.gov
Johnathan F. Austin, johnathan.austin@birminghamal.gov
Carole C Smitherman, carole.smitherman@birminghamal.gov
James "Jay" Roberson, Jr., jay.roberson@birminghamal.gov
Steven W. Hoyt, steven.hoyt@birminghamal.gov
Roderick Royal, roderick.royal@birminghamal.gov
4/19/10
Hoover, Birmingham to Vote on 280
Please contact your elected representatives and urge them to oppose the state's overkill proposal for an $800 million toll road and elevated highway. Insist on a more fiscally responsible solution to 280 traffic congestion that does not promote sprawl and damage the commercial and residential interests along the corridor. We can do better!
Contact Hoover officials
Contact Birmingham officials
Read the entire article by clicking here
Contact Hoover officials
Contact Birmingham officials
Read the entire article by clicking here
3/23/10
View the Latest ReThink280 Presentations
THANKS to all who turned out to listen and ask questions at our presentations in Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, and Hoover. We really appreciate your feedback, ideas, and support!
Click here to view ReThink280's presentation to Vestavia Hills and Mountain Brook on March 22nd.
Click here to view ReThink280's April 1st presentation to Hoover.
Click here to view ReThink280's presentation to Vestavia Hills and Mountain Brook on March 22nd.
Click here to view ReThink280's April 1st presentation to Hoover.
3/19/10
Come Hear About ReThink280's Alternative
ALDOT may have put the brakes on its fast-tracked plan for a U.S. 280 toll road, but we all recognize that a solution must be found to alleviate traffic congestion on this vital roadway. We at ReThink280 believe we have a workable, less costly alternative. To learn more about the ReThink280 plan, please plan to attend one of these upcoming meetings:
* March 22, 4:00pm, Vestavia Hills City Hall
* March 22, 7:00pm, Mountain Brook City Hall
* April 1, 5:00pm, Hoover Municipal Building
The ReThink280 plan provides for express travel on U.S. 280 while preserving good local access and keeping businesses visible. It protects nearby neighborhoods and schools from the noise and pollution that would be induced by adding four new lanes of traffic, as ALDOT planned. It positions the corridor for meaningful mass transit solutions. And it does not rely on "innovative financing" or questionable toll revenue projections. Tell your representatives: it's time to ReThink 280!
* March 22, 4:00pm, Vestavia Hills City Hall
* March 22, 7:00pm, Mountain Brook City Hall
* April 1, 5:00pm, Hoover Municipal Building
The ReThink280 plan provides for express travel on U.S. 280 while preserving good local access and keeping businesses visible. It protects nearby neighborhoods and schools from the noise and pollution that would be induced by adding four new lanes of traffic, as ALDOT planned. It positions the corridor for meaningful mass transit solutions. And it does not rely on "innovative financing" or questionable toll revenue projections. Tell your representatives: it's time to ReThink 280!
3/18/10
Birmingham News: Stopping Work on the Toll Road Is the Right Call
"Redoubling efforts to come up with a better plan that can win broader support must be the new route." -- Birmingham News Editorial, 3/18/10
Read the entire article by clicking here
Read the entire article by clicking here
3/17/10
State Halts Work on U.S. 280 Express Lanes
State transportation officials say they have halted work indefinitely on express lanes for U.S. 280 and won’t go forward unless local governments with jurisdictions along the highway agree on the project. This is a great development for those of us who want to see a less costly, less invasive solution to the congestion on U.S. 280, but the battle is far from over. Please continue to express your opposition to this sprawl- and traffic-inducing $800 million proposal and ask your elected officials to reject it in favor of a less costly solution that improves 280 traffic flow while protecting adjacent neighborhoods and enhancing access to local businesses. ReThink 280!
Read the entire article by clicking here
Read the entire article by clicking here
3/16/10
Double, Double Toll and Trouble
ALDOT claims a tolled U.S. 280 "will pay for itself" -- not only for the construction, but for continued operation, maintenance, landscaping, inspection, you name it. Please urge your city's officials to think critically and question the math before deciding on the merits of this $800 million toll project! What happens when toll revenue projections don't work out as planned? Read on for a few examples:
"North Texas Tollway Authority Raising Rates on All Three Roads" (8/15/09)
"Maryland Officials See Very Slow Recovery in Traffic; Debt Service Will Drive Big Toll Hikes" (3/8/10)
"Toll Bridge Comes Back to Haunt Orange Beach" (12/22/09)
"Greenway Revenue, Traffic at Odds" (7/5/09)
"Greenway Drivers Face Dilemma" (7/1/07)
"North Texas Tollway Authority Raising Rates on All Three Roads" (8/15/09)
"Maryland Officials See Very Slow Recovery in Traffic; Debt Service Will Drive Big Toll Hikes" (3/8/10)
"Toll Bridge Comes Back to Haunt Orange Beach" (12/22/09)
"Greenway Revenue, Traffic at Odds" (7/5/09)
"Greenway Drivers Face Dilemma" (7/1/07)
3/12/10
B'ham Business Journal: Skeptical of 280 Toll Road Plan
"We need to fully analyze and understand our return on investment from spending $1 billion (and you can bet, with standard government contract cost overruns, this project will cost at least $1 billion) on an elevated highway that will likely extend development further south and exacerbate our problems." -- Birmingham Business Journal
Read the entire article by clicking here
Read the entire article by clicking here
3/10/10
March 22: ReThink280 Set to Present Its Plan to Vestavia Hills
Please turn out to hear ReThink280 present its alternative plan for U.S. 280 to the Vestavia Hills City Council on Monday, March 22, 4:00pm, Council Chambers, Vestavia Hills City Hall. All are invited to attend. Come hear a detailed description of the plan and its advantages over the $800 million project being "fast-tracked" by ALDOT. Please plan to attend this important meeting and voice your support!
3/9/10
March 22: ReThink280 Goes to Mountain Brook
The ReThink280 group will present its alternative plan for U.S. 280 to the Mountain Brook City Council on Monday, March 22, at 7:00pm, Mountain Brook City Hall. Come hear a detailed description of the plan and its advantages over the $800 million project ALDOT is pursuing. Please plan to attend this important meeting and voice your support!
3/8/10
April 1: Hoover to Hear ReThink280 Plan
ReThink280 will present its plan for U.S. 280 to the Hoover City Council at the Council's work session on Thursday, April 1, 5:00pm, Council Chambers, Hoover Municipal Building. This meeting is open to the public. Come learn about the plan and its advantages over ALDOT's $800 million toll road. Please plan to attend this important meeting and voice your support!
3/7/10
RPC Executive Director on Fixing U.S. 280
Charles Ball shares the vision of the Regional Planning Commission for fixing U.S. 280.
Click here to listen to the interview
Click here to listen to the interview
3/6/10
U.S. 280 Opposition Gaining Ground
State transportation officials say ALDOT's work to add toll lanes along U.S. 280 will be slowed to allow time for officials to meet with groups opposed to the project.
Read the entire article by clicking here
Read the entire article by clicking here
2/25/10
Mountain Brook Meeting Scheduled
ALDOT and Linda Figg will present their U.S. 280 proposal at Mountain Brook City Hall, March 8, 2010, 10:00 a.m. The meeting is open to the public. Please come and voice your opinion!
2/24/10
Opposition Growing in Birmingham
"The opposition to toll roads on Highway 280 is getting stronger -- this time in the Magic City" -- ABC 33/40.
Birmingham City Councilors today expressed concern about the proposed toll road, with some calling it "a gateway to Shelby County." A scheduled presentation by ReThink280 to the Council was postponed but should be scheduled soon, along with one by ALDOT.
Read the entire story by clicking here
Birmingham City Councilors today expressed concern about the proposed toll road, with some calling it "a gateway to Shelby County." A scheduled presentation by ReThink280 to the Council was postponed but should be scheduled soon, along with one by ALDOT.
Read the entire story by clicking here
2/22/10
Just a Concept?
Despite assurances from ALDOT as recently as January 2010 that the U.S. 280 Expansion Project is just one "legitimate concept that's on the table," the project appears to be moving ahead full steam. These photos show survey work taking place on U.S. 280 at Dolly Ridge Road today. Surveyors were also observed at Green Valley Road. No word yet on the date of those promised "public involvement" meetings.
2/18/10
Opposition to the Elevated in Shelby County
"This is a plan that is going to kill retail businesses and development on 280." -- Chuck Jett, Business for a Viable 280
Read the entire article by clicking here
Read the entire article by clicking here
What a Real Elevated Road Looks Like
These are photos of Tampa's Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway, an elevated roadway designed by Figg Engineers.
(c) 2010 FIGG.
(c) News Channel 8 photo by PAUL LAMISON, 2009.
ALDOT Proposed Toll Road Structure at Cherokee Road
The walls of this proposed bridge structure would rise 25 feet above ground level at the height of this intersection.
2/12/10
Survey Prep in Hollywood
ALDOT contractor Sain Associates, Inc., was knocking on doors in Homewood this week, informing residents that surveying work related to the U.S. 280 Expansion Project will soon begin in the area. Concerned residents of the historic Hollywood neighborhood, which is bordered by U.S. 280 as it approaches Birmingham, were refused details about the plans.Photos courtesy the Hollywood Neighborhood Association.
2/11/10
A Pricey Commute
At 20 cents a mile, a commuter who traveled the entire length of the toll road twice a day, every workday for a year, would pay $1,040 in tolls. At 25 cents a mile, that commuter would pay $1,300 in a year.
Read the entire article by clicking here
Read the entire article by clicking here
2/8/10
Homewood Seeks Alternate Plan
City of Homewood officials have asked ALDOT to weigh the impact the state's plan for U.S. 280 would have on neighboring cities and to consider the ReThink280 plan as a viable alternative for improving traffic conditions along the corridor. The City has also asked the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham to include the ReThink280 plan in its U.S. 280 Corridor Transit Study, which is currently under way.
Click here to read the Birmingham News article
Click here for Homewood's letters to ALDOT and RPC [PDF]
Click here to read the Birmingham News article
Click here for Homewood's letters to ALDOT and RPC [PDF]
1/20/10
Quotable Quotes
"Something is wrong about the size of this improvement."
"At a cost of $800 million, this as a toll road is a fiscal disaster."
"It will be a permanent drain on whatever source of funding has to support it."
-- Walter Kulash, traffic consultant
"At a cost of $800 million, this as a toll road is a fiscal disaster."
"It will be a permanent drain on whatever source of funding has to support it."
-- Walter Kulash, traffic consultant
Quotable Quotes
"We can do better" [than ALDOT's current plan].
-- Jackie Langlow, Homewood City Council, Ward 5
-- Jackie Langlow, Homewood City Council, Ward 5
RETHINK280! Crowd Hears Alternative Plan
"The first step is concept and cost effectiveness. Can we get most of the benefit with just part of the cost?" -- Walter Kulash, traffic consultant
Read the entire article by clicking here
Read the entire article by clicking here
From Macy's at the Summit
City Leaders and residents fighting a proposal to elevate U.S. 280
Elevated 280, before and after
Wednesday, March 14, 2007 News staff writer
http://www.al.com/birminghamnews/stories/index.ssf?/base/community/117386286877140.xml&coll=2
HANNAH WOLFSON
Editorials from the Birmingham News
ELEVATED HIGHWAY:
Would be bad for neighborhoods
Among the many lessons learned from the construction of the nation's interstate highway system was that elevated highways had a destructive effect on neighborhoods. In "Divided Highways," author Tom Lewis recounts how proposals for elevated highways in New Orleans, San Francisco, New York, Philadelphia and other large cities were rejected once neighborhood advocates realized the highway planners' raised roads would bring noise, pollution, grime and visual blight.
Granted, U.S. 280 is not an urban interstate, but an elevated highway on 280 would have these same impacts on the neighborhoods it passes.
As for "cool," big cities everywhere are now competing for young urban professionals to provide our work force, brain power and possibly leadership for the future. In the Nov. 25 edition of The New York Times, "downtown living, public transportation and plenty of entertainment options" were cited by young professionals as features that will attract them to their cities of choice.
Last year, while in St. Louis riding its light-rail mass transit system from the airport to downtown, my 19-year-old daughter asked me why we didn't have a train like that in Birmingham; great question, with no good answer.
There are other compelling reasons for including a mass transit option. Economic growth for Southern cities with mass transit exceeds that of cities without, and there is the obvious environmental benefit associated with moving people in mass rather than one or two at a time.
Bad for neighborhoods, not cool to young professionals: We need to drop the idea of an elevated highway and develop a smarter plan for our future.
Jeff Underwood
Homewood
Renderings omit dark shadows:
Renderings in The News Thursday of the proposed elevated highway above U.S. 280 were lovely.
Oddly, though, the cars and trees cast shadows, but the highway never does. The highway just seems to be barely there, blending always into the sky. It's always sunny around the highway. I guess these must be the renderings of those who want to build it.
Now, let's see the drawings from those who oppose the highway - the drawings that will show the dark shadow it forever casts across the landscape, the litter that gathers below it, the stained and graffiti-covered concrete from a few years down the road.
Art Meripol
Mountain Brook
Natural assets must not be ruined:
Couching a large concrete structure through the middle of Mountain Brook and Homewood built to facilitate unfettered urban sprawl down U.S. 280 as a "tribute to nature" is an example of the spin being employed in the elevated highway concept.
The term "concept" is appropriate, because the Alabama Department of Transportation representative said at the public hearing that DOT will do its own design of the roadway if the project moves forward. The color pictures in your newspaper represent fanciful drawings by a private firm. (For example, the major intersection views do not show up/down ramps, and assumptions are made that cutting-edge lighting and roadway technologies would be part of the DOT's final, funded design.)
Notwithstanding the design, I disagree with the premise. The concept work assumes that the cities through which U.S. 280 runs are beholden to accommodate everyone who wants to drive without traffic on the road. The beauty of Homewood and Mountain Brook is a key reason I moved here to start a business, and it creates a positive impression of Birmingham in those who visit from elsewhere. We must be careful to not ruin the natural assets that enable the growth we hope to enjoy.
G.T. LaBorde
Mountain Brook
Only butterflies, bunnies missing:
It is very disappointing to learn The News is buying the slick marketing campaign of Progress 280 and others to build an elevated U.S. 280. The highly idealized and artfully Photoshopped "pictures" The News printed without qualification lack only pretty bunnies and butterflies to make their falsely pastoral setting complete.
The truth is there is nothing pretty about the elevated road, either environmentally or aesthetically. If you wanted to provide an accurate sense of what the elevated road might be like, color the blue skies gray from the resulting air pollution and the tunnel-like effect of the structure. The misleading perspective contained in the "photo" in no way reflects just how wide and massive the elevated structure would be, or how long a shadow it would cast. And any promised short-term improvements in air quality that may be realized by decreasing stop-and-go traffic are going to quickly be eclipsed by the even greater number of cars that will be on the road.
The pictures also need a soundtrack; perhaps you have the road noise from last year's Talladega 500. Figg Engineering's disingenuous claims about better design and materials aside, the noise of the significant truck and local traffic at grade (missing from the nice pictures) will be trapped and broadcast throughout the lower elevations of interior neighborhoods. Meanwhile, because of the topography of our area, those homes situated above U.S. 280 will have no protection from the elevated portion of the road.
The one kernel of truth in so much fluffy popcorn about the road's "benefits" was the candid admission by Alabama Department of Transportation engineer Brian Davis of what we all know: Historically, adding lanes is a short-term solution that does not work.
 | |
 | |
 Letters, faxes, and e-mailSunday, January 28, 2007 | |
If the elevated road proponents win and we spend an estimated $400 million to $700 million to build 10 miles of road, even according to DOT's most conservative estimates, the road will be obsolete within about 20 years of its construction. Meanwhile, we will have destroyed what makes our city beautiful and distinctive with the ugly urban leviathan of the elevated road.
Eva Dillard
Homewood
