Two New I-20/59 And I-65 Ramps Open Monday

BIRMINGHAM, AL - To say that construction on Interstate 20/59 and I-65 has caused traffic headaches for Birmingham and area commuters would be an understatement, as the Alabama Department of Transportation continues one of the largest rebuilding projects in years. However, drivers will notice Monday signs of progress as two ramps in the downtown project have opened.

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According to a report by Alabama Media Group, both the newly constructed I-59/20 Northbound exit ramp to 6th Avenue, and the I-65 Southbound exit ramp to 6th Avenue North opened at 1 a.m. Monday morning.

The ramps are part of Phase II of the project - a project which began in 2016. Over the past 50 years, the volume of traffic through Birmingham has swelled. This has led the original design to become functionally obsolete, according to ALDOT studeis. Similarly, the interchange at I-59/20 and Red Mountain Expressway needed to be updated, so the ALDOT plan addresses these issues and improves traffic flow for all motorists. When done in conjunction with rebuilding the bridges, it will also eliminate the weave conditions responsible for causing accidents and congestion, ADOT officials said.

Photo by Michael Seale/Patch

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