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.

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!

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

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.

Transit Authority Passes 280 Resolution

Read the entire article by clicking here

Mountain Brook Asks for Better U.S. 280 Redesign, Cooperation with Cities and RPC, Consideration of ReThink280 Concepts

Read the entire article by clicking here
Read the resolution by clicking here

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

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

Read the entire article by clicking here

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.

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!

View the ReThink280 Presentation

Click here to view the ReThink280 presentation made to the Birmingham City Council on March 9th.

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

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

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)

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

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!

Vestavia Hills Council Hears ALDOT's Plan

Read the entire article by clicking here

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!

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!

Forum Crowd Challenges ALDOT 280 Plan

Read the entire article by clicking here

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

Opinion: Something the Matter with Toll Road Infatuation

Read the entire article by clicking here

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

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!

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

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.

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

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.

ALDOT Proposed Toll Road Structure at Office Park

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.

More Photos from Hollywood

Photos courtesy the Hollywood Neighborhood Association.

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

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]

Task Force Ignored

Read the entire article by clicking here

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

Quotable Quotes

"We can do better" [than ALDOT's current plan].
-- 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