Vestavia Rotary July 15, 2016

Darrell O’Quinn, Ph.D., Executive Director

THE ISSUE:

ALDOT is rushing through a $500 million highway “fix” that will foreclose other possibilities for many future generations.

• Where Move I-20/59 and ALDOT agree

• Need immediate attention

• Currently a hazard to public safety and traffic flow

I-20/59 Bridges are in Disrepair

But ALDOT has a different agenda.

• Is much more than replacing bridges

• Reduces and relocates access to the central business and arts & entertainment districts

• Widens the bridges to 10 lanes

• Bridge structural deficiencies not addressed until late 2018 at the earliest (highway closed at least a year)

ALDOT’s Plan

ALDOT hasn’t assessed the plan’s impact on Birmingham.

–John Cooper, Director of ALDOT

“That's not my role to make those determinations. My role is transportation. You're asking me to respond to an issue that's a broad long term issue for the city of Birmingham and Jefferson County. And I think people who are

closer to those problems should respond to that than me.”

All ALDOT can think about is roads. It’s up to us to think about our future.

ALDOT is ignoring Birmingham’s downtown revitalization.

• Over $600 million public and private investments

• Downtown has highest employment density

• CBD population grew 36% 2000-2010 (only growth in city)

• 1,500 new housing units coming online

• New UAB football stadium near BJCC/Uptown

• Potential national park designation for Civil Rights District

Momentum Downtown

• The 2004 City Center Master Plan is focused on a greener, quieter, cleaner, more walkable city. Plan called for moving or sinking I-20/59.

• April 2014 Goody Clancy Study showed elevated highway causing “disinvestment” in parcels adjacent to highway.

• Viaduct separates BJCC, Uptown and new UAB stadium from CBD reducing tourism spending.

Economic Development Planning

ALDOT says there is no other option.

• Finely Blvd Extension - realign I-20/59 along the Finley Blvd corridor

• Sink highway below grade with parks/connectors built over highway

Two Options Have Promise

Proposed Finley Blvd Extension Route

Proposed Lowered Highway

• Originally proposed in the 2004 Center City Master Plan

• 2009 Parsons Brinckerhoff Study:

• “Technically feasible from an engineering and design perspective.”

• “No insurmountable challenges in feasibility or construction.”

Lowering

• Political

• Financial

We need your support

• Mayor Bell and City Council

• Jefferson County legislative delegation

• Congressman Palmer and Congresswoman Sewell

• Governor Bentley

• Federal Transportation Secretary Foxx

• Senator Sessions and Senator Shelby

Political Support

• $50,000 for additional economic impact studies

• Legal fees for suit to force ALDOT to consider economic impact

• Community outreach into neighborhoods

• Public relations & advertising costs

Financial Support

Contact Information darrell@move2059.org

www.move2059.org

facebook.com/Move2059

@move2059 #move2059

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2482 Birmingham, AL 35201

Move I-20/59 is a 501(c)(3).

Questions?