Construction Begins on I-20/59 Bridge Replacement Project
Alabama Department of Transportation,Alabama Department of Transportation
John Cooper is the director of the Alabama Department of Transporation
Work started this month on a major road construction project to expand one of Alabama’s busiest highways. It’s the elevated portion of Interstate 20/59 that runs through downtown Birmingham. The highway is at twice designed capacity and is at the end of its usable life. The redesign will change how drivers can access the city center.
Ramps at 22nd street will be eliminated. Drivers will still be able get on and off the interstate at Carraway Boulevard. They’ll be able to get to 17th Street from I-65. The new plan does maintain entrance and exit ramps at 31st Street.
WBHM’s Andrew Yeager spoke with Alabama Department of Transportation Director John Cooper about the estimated $400 million project which generated strong pushback from some portions of the community. He asked Cooper what he anticipates when that stretch of highway is closed.
An extended interview:
Alabama officials worry about life-saving Narcan program’s future as CDC grants stall
OD2A funds helped Alabama make naloxone more widely available last year. Health experts say it's responsible for a promising downturn in overdose deaths.
Chuck Mangione, whose jazz horn warmed up the pop charts, has died
With his beard, long hair and brown felt fedora, the jazz flugelhorn player and composer cut an unforgettable figure in American culture.
European countries are set for Iran talks, but expectations for a breakthrough are low
Germany, France and the United Kingdom will hold talks with Iran in Istanbul Friday, just days after the three European nations warned they would reimpose stiff sanctions on Tehran.
Trump administration approves sale of CBS parent company Paramount
The Federal Communications Commission approved the sale of Paramount Global after the buyer made pledges to showcase a diversity of viewpoints and root out alleged bias in CBS' news coverage.
Trump visits Federal Reserve and tussles with Jerome Powell in extraordinary moment
President Trump visited the Federal Reserve to inspect an ongoing renovation and disagreed with the Fed chair about the project's final cost in an extraordinary moment.
Trump signs an executive order making it easier to remove homeless people from streets
The White House directive calls for prioritizing money for programs that require sobriety and treatment, and for cities that enforce homeless camping bans.
