More Birmingham drivers detouring through downtown streets, thanks to bridge work

The 20/59 bridge replacement project is well underway, and that means drivers will be navigating downtown Birmingham as a detour, wait for it … for three years!

According to an email, City of Birmingham Traffic Systems Engineer Natasha Bettis noted some changes to traffic as roadwork continues.

“Ultimately part of 20/59 will close completely with many nearby surface streets. Meanwhile traffic patterns are changing as drivers increasingly use city streets, a trend expected to continue as the project progresses,” Bettis wrote.

Permits For Downtown Street Events

If you’re looking for a permit to hold an event in downtown Birmingham, here’s some information for you:

“In the interim,” Bettis wrote, “events typically held on downtown city streets will now be permitted south of the railroad tracks. Permitting for events on downtown streets is expected to resume one year after the 20/59 project is complete”

The dashed lines at the top of the map represent the parts of I-20/59 that will “ultimately close completely, along with nearby surface streets.”

The large arrows on the map above represent streets that are usually given permits for events.

Keep Up With Bridge Construction

We will keep you updated with construction progress here at Bham Now, but you can also follow the Alabama Department of Transportation on these social media channels:

• The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) website
• The ALDOT 59/20 Bridge Facebook page
• The ALDOT Twitter page

What’s Next

Tonight  at 11 p.m., ALDOT will close the ramp to Carraway Blvd. (Hwy 31 South/Hwy 280 East) from I-59/20 southbound.  Weather permitting, ALDOT plans to pour a concrete beam above the interstate. The ramp will re-open at 5 a.m., Tuesday.

Police will be assisting ALDOT with traffic. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph will be in effect throughout the work zone. Please consider using alternate routes and adjusting  your arrival,departure times.