City Council Work Session Covers Infrastructure Concerns

VESTAVIA HILLS, AL — During the Vestavia Hills City Council work session on Nov. 20, the council reviewed infrastructural concerns about Cahaba Beach Road, East Street, Crosshaven Drive and Massey Road.

The Cahaba Beach Road project was first on the agenda. Shelby County has proposed four routes to connect the road with U.S. 280, including a "no build" option. Some residents have expressed concerns about the project redirecting traffic to Cahaba Heights Road, Sicard Hollow Road and Grants Mill Road. No official studies have been conducted on how the project would affect Cahaba Heights or Liberty Park. While the city has no formal ability to affect the project, it can and will voice its concerns about the project to ALDOT as well as request further information about the project's impact.

The council also addressed traffic on East Street, a consequence of the Mountain Brook BUSA facility. A traffic study conducted from Nov. 7-15 showed a peak of 289 cars through the area, over the project 198, which matched the traffic levels projected before the construction of Rathmell Sports Park. The city could talk with officials at BUSA to change the league's programming, meaning traffic would be less concentrated on peak nights, as well as discuss adding sidewalks to improve safety, which would cost $200,000.

A conversation on Crosshaven Drive was continued from a briefing during the Nov. 14 meeting. The council has discussed utilizing local funds instead of federal for the $5 million project, which would expedite the process. The county's portion of the project will take about seven years, though the county has made more progress with acquiring right of way.

The halt on the paving of Massey Road was also covered in the meeting. The project requires ALDOT approval since the city's funds are being federally matched. ALDOT rejected what was supposed to be the city's final plans in April, which means the plan will have to be redesigned to accommodate wider lanes, a moved retaining wall and additional right of way.

The council will meet again on Nov. 27 at 6 p.m.

Photo Courtesy of City of Vestavia Hills