ALABAMA STATE EDITION
231
65
72 Florence
2
Huntsville
20 Decatur
72
565 59
43
A Supplement to:
231
431
31
5
Gadsden
78 59 Anniston
20
Birmingham Bessemer
82 Tuscaloosa
65 280
20 82 Auburn
80
85
Selma
Phenix City
Montgomery
82
March 30 2016 Vol. XXIX • No. 7
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84
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“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded in 1957.”
Dothan
65 98
Mobile
10
Your Alabama Connection • Rich Olivier, Atlanta, GA • 1-800-409-1479
Portion of Interstate 20/59 to Accommodate 160,000 Vehicles By Brenda Ruggiero CEG CORRESPONDENT
A portion of Interstate 20/59 in Alabama is being reconstructed to accommodate an increased flow of traffic, which currently is the highest rate of traffic flow in the entire state. More than 160,000 vehicles travel this area each day. This number is projected to increase to more than 225,000 daily motorists by 2035. Under the current conditions, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) reported that the existing bridge design is unable to safely accommodate traffic flow. The bridges were originally built with a 50-year lifespan, and designed to carry up to 80,000 vehicles per day. John Cooper, director of ALDOT, announced the start of construction on the project through downtown Birmingham’s Central Business District on July 29, 2015. ALDOT’s construction plan has three phases, at a total cost of more than $400 million. Throughout the early phases, access to and from downtown remained uninterrupted. ALDOT completed all work on the new ramps leading into and out of the city before closing off any existing access points. The contract for Phase One was awarded to Brasfield & Gorrie for $7.4 million. It involves widening roadways and elevating certain bridges in preparation for the larger project. ALDOT began working with local elected officials, the Birmingham community, business leaders and others in 2011 to develop a comprehensive plan A portion of Interstate 20/59 in Alabama is being reconstructed to accommodate an increased flow of traffic, which currently is the to improve the route interchanges and replace the highest rate of traffic flow in the entire state. bridges on I-59/20. The approved plan will reportedly simplify access into and out of downtown, and ease the yds. (3,822 cu m) of unspecified excavation, 275 cu. yds. Granite Construction of Watsonville, Calif., on March 15 for flow of commerce and traffic through Birmingham’s Central (210 cu m) of Cl. B concrete, and 162 (123 cu m) of Cl. DS a contract of more than $208 million. Throughout construction of Phase Two, access to and Business District. Community input was sought throughout concrete. Russo Corporation was subcontracted for drill shafts. from downtown will reportedly remain open. Granite will the planning and design process. At the start of this project, Brasfield Gorrie submitted a complete all work on the new I-65 ramps leading into and The contract for Phase One was awarded to Brasfield & Gorrie LLC for $7.4 million on July 22, 2015. It involves value engineering proposal to change from steel piling to out of the city before access points are closed for Phase widening roadways and elevating certain bridges in prepara- drill shafts, which was approved at a cost savings to this proj- Three. “Over the past 40 years, as traffic has skyrocketed tion for the larger project. Work began on Aug. 26, 2015 and ect. Phase Two involves redesigning and constructing the new through the city of Birmingham, the junction of I-65 with Ithe estimated completion date is May 12. The project covers .4 mi. (.6 km), and includes bridge interchange ramps at I-65. There will be new ramps to 17th 59/20 has become labeled as Malfunction Junction,” said widening and approaches (grade, drain, base, pave, bridge Street and 6th Avenue North, as well as new ramps from DeJarvis Leonard, east central region engineer. “Phase Two 11th Avenue North to the Interstate System. The project also is designed to address this problem. Regardless of what raising and highway lighting). According to ALDOT, the most challenging part of this involves construction between Arkadelphia Road and I-65 happens with the long-term prospects of the central busialong I-59/20. ness district bridges, this work is necessary and will provide portion of the project has been managing traffic. ALDOT issued a notice to proceed for this phase to To date, this phase of the project has included 5,000 cu. see ALDOT page 6