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)

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

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!

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!!

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

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

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