2. Vestavia Rotary
July 15, 2016
Darrell O’Quinn, Ph.D., Executive Director

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

5. • 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

6. But ALDOT has a
different agenda.

7. • 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

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

12. –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.”

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

15. ALDOT is ignoring
Birmingham’s
downtown
revitalization.

16. • 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

17. • 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

19. ALDOT says there
is no other option.

20. • 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

21. Proposed Finley Blvd Extension Route

23. Proposed Lowered Highway

24. • 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

25. • Political
• Financial
We need your support

26. • 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

27. • $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

28. 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).

29. Questions?