ALDOT: Be prepared for more I-59/20 and I-65 Interchange delays this week

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.

Updates

As always, make sure to check on the latest I-59/20 updates at www.5920bridge.com and be safe!

 

Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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