A petition and a lawsuit are so far the tactics used by local advocates to oppose a plan by the Alabama Department of Transportation to widen an interstate that runs through the heart of Birmingham.
Sarah Kuper reports on pushback to a plan by the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) "to reconfigure and widen" Interstate 20/59 through Downtown Birmingham. The proposal has met stiff resistance from a local non-profit, which argues that " the plan will have long-term, detrimental effects on the city."
The plan would widen stretches of the interstate from six lanes to ten lanes and upgrade on- and off-ramps. The initial plans have been in circulation since 2013, reports Kuper, inspiring a local opposition group called Move I-20/59 to file a lawsuit against ALDOT, "contending it had not adequately considered environmental issues and asking that it consider economic issues as well." According to Kuper, "On Jan. 19, the Federal Highway Administration and ALDOT responded by denying all claims."
The article focuses mostly on the advocacy of Darrell O’Quinn, the advocate leading Move I-20/59, who lays out several arguments against the highway-widening project.
FULL STORY: I-20/59 Expansion Under Fire: Birmingham Business Community Keeps Pushing Against ALDOT Plans
Should Birmingham Double Down on Downtown-Dividing Interstate?
A innovative approach to I-20/59 could thrust downtown Birmingham past other revitalizing cities, but the state has been reluctant to think outside the box.
TxDOT Wages Quiet Battle to Acquire Properties for I-35 Expansion
TxDOT has filed “takings lawsuits” against holdout property owners along the eight-mile stretch of I-35 slated for widening in Austin, but property owners say the agency isn't offering just compensation.
Michigan DOT Nixes Ann Arbor Highway Expansion
In response to public feedback, the Michigan Department of Transportation is no longer considering options to widen U.S. 23 on Ann Arbor’s east side.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service