Birmingham Malfunction Junction — Rendering of Malfunction Junction in Birmingham after ALDOT completes its bridge project. Graphic by ALDOT

According to the Alabama Department of Transportation‘s June 22nd media advisory, drivers should expect delays at the I-59/20 and I-65 Interchanges this week.

There will be intermittent lane closures and ramp closures throughout the weekend and next week on I-59/20 Northbound & Southbound and I-65 Northbound & Southbound.

Birmingham, Alabama, 20/59, bridge, traffic, detour, ALDOT — Photo via Katie Baggett

This morning I-59/20 Southbound was to be closed, weather permitting from 12 a.m. until 3 a.m. while the contractor pours a new Bridge Deck that will cross the interstate.

The I-59 Northbound Ramp to the I-65 Southbound Ramp will be closed tonight, June 23rd, from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. to bolt Steel Girders.

Tuesday, June 26th, all lanes of I-59/20 Southbound will be closed between the 31st Street North Exit and the Carraway Blvd. Exit from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. to pour a Bridge Deck.

ALDOT asks the public to be mindful that all construction plans can change due to weather and other factors. They strongly urge motorist, to use caution, obey the posted speed limits, and consider using alternate routes.

Why so much construction?

A quick reminder why ALDOT is reconstructing and building new bridges and sections of the interstate downtown for the next two years. Designed in the 1960s, the bridges were originally designed with a 30-year lifespan, and intended to carry up to 80,000 vehicles per day. Today, some 45 years later, daily traffic exceeds 165,000 vehicles, and this number is expected to increase to 225,000 by 2035.