How to improve US 280 in Birmingham Area

[codyg1985]

More talk about how to improve US 280 in the Birmingham area. I will believe anything when I see it.   

97,000 motorists and counting: ALDOT discusses how to improve Highway 280

The Alabama Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting regarding US Highway 280 improvements on Monday, Nov. 19 between 4 and 7 p.m. at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center on Grandview Parkway.

Tomorrow's meeting will focus on intersection and access management improvements spanning from Hollywood Blvd. to Doug Baker Blvd.

[Charles2]

Since doing anything in the immediate area would be cost-prohibitive, there are a few things that could be done:

* Widen I-65 to at least eight lanes from Malfunction Junction all the way through Shelby County, then build an Interstate grade spur (I-365? I-765) from perhaps Jemison to 280 at Childersburg or Sylacauga.  This would at least divert some of the non-local traffic off of 280.

* Route an extension of I-22 along I-65 to the same point, then continue I-22 along 280, then GA 520 to Tifton (I-75) or even Brunswick (I-95).

* Convert U.S. 280 into a freeway, with SPUI's galore.  Such interchanges at CR 43 and CR 41 wouldn't be that difficult, but NW of Double Oak Mountain would be a mess to end them all.

* If and when I-422 is ever built, extend it south of I-59, past I-20, and make its terminus with either U.S. 231 or U.S. 280 between Harpersville and Childersburg.  Again, this would have little affect on local traffic, but at least it would divert some of the non-local traffic off 280.

*Build the proposed toll road south of the I-459 interchange.  Even if it's never built between U.S. 31 and I-459, any help would be better than no help at all.

[Bamaroadgeek]

Extend I-22 as a duplex with I-65, then I-20/59 and then the Red Mountain/Elton B. Stephens Expressway, then as an elevated toll road over 280 and to Jacksonville. It'd be difficult and very expensive, but that's the best option. At least a toll road on top of US 280.

[NE2]

End it at I-459. Now it's somebody else's problem.

[Bamaroadgeek]

End it at I-459. Now it's somebody else's problem.

What good would that do? The section from there to AL 119 is just as congested, if not more.

[codyg1985]

Here are the proposed intersection improvements that were presented at the meeting: http://aldotapps.dot.state.al.us/US280/Proposed%20Layout.html

[Revive 755]

^ Only one Michigan left for the corridor?  See PlotFile_21_A and PlotFile_21_B

The Alabama DOT should go for more of a superstreet - unless that has been shot down already.

[barcncpt44]

There is a grassroots group called Safety 280 determined to stop these changes along U.S. 280. http://www.safety280.com/ 

Also I wrote a post on my blog about these changes on U.S. 280 which I don't agree with.  I am used to the bashing from ALDOT and I even got on their naughty list.  It's sad when you propose changes to roads in Alabama and you get shot down from ALDOT.  I guess I take it as a badge of honor that they hate me and the Geek Alabama blog.  http://geekalabama.com/2012/12/06/the-crazy-u-s-280-alabama-corridor/

[codyg1985]

There is a grassroots group called Safety 280 determined to stop these changes along U.S. 280. http://www.safety280.com/ 

Also I wrote a post on my blog about these changes on U.S. 280 which I don't agree with.  I am used to the bashing from ALDOT and I even got on their naughty list.  It's sad when you propose changes to roads in Alabama and you get shot down from ALDOT.  I guess I take it as a badge of honor that they hate me and the Geek Alabama blog.  http://geekalabama.com/2012/12/06/the-crazy-u-s-280-alabama-corridor/

I think your blog is pretty awesome. It allows me to keep updated on projects in east Alabama where I don't really get to that often. Thanks for your hard work!

I do see where a lot of the intersections have straight through access eliminated and you have to turn right or left. I see what ALDOT is trying to do here. They are attempting to reduce the amount of phases that the traffic lights have so that US 280 can have more green time. I think this will help somewhat with the traffic, but I do wonder about the U-turns and if they will even be possible during rush hour (or just about any other time). I know this sort of traffic control works elsewhere, but I don't know if it has been done in an area with rolling hills and lots of curves which can reduce sight distance when attempting to U-turn. One thing that would help is if the U-turns included acceleration lanes on the left or if the U-turns had traffic signals themselves that were programmed to turn green at the same time that the side street gets a green light. The overall strategy does help reduce conflict points and gives US 280 more green time, but I do wonder if it will actually work for this stretch of road? If it were flat and straight it may work better.

Just curious, what was your idea about improving US 280?

[barcncpt44]

The U-turns will not work during rush hour.  If you have driven 280 during rush hour you know why they will not work.  The reason why all the folks are complaining about the U-turn at the Birmingham Water Works plant is because of a hill limiting sight distance.  Right now there is a no U-turn sign at that area.  The residents are saying any attempt to U-turn while having traffic going 55 down a hill is dangerous.  And I can see their point.  Here is the area where ALDOT is proposing a U-turn for Cherokee Road traffic. 

At some of the intersections like Valleydale Road; ALDOT is proposing 2 U-turn lanes which I have never seen before.  Try making a U-turn while traffic is going 55 down a very large hill!  Yes ALDOT is going to have place traffic lights at these U-turn points.  I do like how they are going to limit the turns at some intersections like around the Super Target.  Which is a great idea!  I believe the ultimate solution to all of this is a new freeway connecting I-65 to U.S. 280 somewhere in Shelby County.  And try going down U.S. 280 from Birmingham to Columbus Georgia.  There are currently way too many traffic lights which is hurting towns like Sylacauga and Alexander City in recruiting new businesses.

[The Premier]

If you want to improve U.S. Hwy. 280, you may as well convert the entire stretch from U.S. Hwy 31 to Auburn. As far as the stores are concerned, build a frontage road. Built overpasses and underpasses on the stretch and put in some exits. That would solve a lot of the problems hands down.

[codyg1985]

ALDOT has the project in the April 26th letting to modify the intersections with U-turns and turning restrictions per the images at the public meeting at the end of last year.

[jdb1234]

Finally got a chance to take US 280 all the way to Homewood yesterday and here are my observations:

The traffic light in front of the fire station near the Cahaba River now is an emergency signal like planned.

The new traffic signal at Perimeter Park South will be activated today.

The old traffic light at Perimeter Park South will be deactivated today.

The traffic light at Overton Road will feature strobes (It was green when I went through so I'm not sure).

The signal at Cherokee Road has been removed Eastbound.

It was odd not to see a signal in front of the Wendy's in Mountain Brook anymore.

At some point i plan to take photos of the construction so far.

[Avalanchez71]

Build two elevated express lanes above US 280 with very limited access.

[jdb1234]

Build two elevated express lanes above US 280 with very limited access.

Good luck trying to get Mountain Brook to agree to that.

[Avalanchez71]

Build two elevated express lanes above US 280 with very limited access.

Good luck trying to get Mountain Brook to agree to that.

OK, bury them in Mountain Brook then.

[rcm195]

Had my first chance to ride on 280 between the 31 interchange and the Summit earlier this week. While it was not during rush hour, my first impressions were positive. It took my half the time from 31 to the Summit than it had been taking.

Some of you may be aware of Lindbergh Blvd in St. Louis. They use a similiar, though more exensive system of U-turn interchanges, and it seems to work there. And St. Louis is twice the size of Birmingham.

[Revive 755]

Some of you may be aware of Lindbergh Blvd in St. Louis. They use a similiar, though more exensive system of U-turn interchanges, and it seems to work there. And St. Louis is twice the size of Birmingham.

More like jughandles than interchanges. 

The main reason US 67 works between MO 100 and MO 180 is that most traffic uses I-270 to the west; secondary reason might be due to US 67 passing through areas with less dense development that generate less traffic overall.

[Avalanchez71]

If you want to improve U.S. Hwy. 280, you may as well convert the entire stretch from U.S. Hwy 31 to Auburn. As far as the stores are concerned, build a frontage road. Built overpasses and underpasses on the stretch and put in some exits. That would solve a lot of the problems hands down.

That sounds like US 45 BY-PASS in Jackson, TN.

[jdb1234]

The intersection changes at Valleydale Road go into effect Tuesday from what I saw.

[31E]

My preference would be to bite the bullet and upgrade it to a freeway with frontage roads for the stores. I'm glad to hear that the changes seem to be helping.

[codyg1985]

My preference would be to bite the bullet and upgrade it to a freeway with frontage roads for the stores. I'm glad to hear that the changes seem to be helping.

That was one of the proposals from ALDOT but some of the surrounding suburbs don't seem to like that idea for some reason.

[Tourian]

I've driven it a couple of times over the past couple of months during lunch hour and it seemed to improve some. Looking forward to trying again as more lights have been converted.

this plan has to work as it is the only solution possible. The daniel corp is going to spend money to improve Cahaba river road to handle more traffic as this portion will see even more volume when the hospital comes online.

[rcm195]

I agree. While a limited access freeway, or just a series of overpasses would be a better solution, it's just not going to happen. No willpower, no money, lack of foresight and leadership. So, this type of approach is the best one on hand.

One thing that might help, and it requires no improvements to the road, is some better driving skills by those that travel not only 280, but all roads!

[codyg1985]

Michigan Left/U-turn lanes to be in place for tomorrow's commute at US 280/Valleydale Road: http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/09/michigan_left_u-turn_along_us.html#incart_river_default