Northern Beltline Construction: Excavation pushes over two more hills
PINSON, Alabama -- Construction of the first segment of the Northern Beltline continues Wednesday October 22, 2014. Construction has progressed over two additional hills closer to Hwy. 79.
The first phase will run between Hwy. 75 and Hwy. 79 in northeast Jefferson County. Heavy equipment including bulldozers, trackhoes and heavy dump trucks are moving dirt and grading an area near where the interchange will be.
Alabama’s Connection To RFK, Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., son of former U.S. Senator and U.S. Attorney General Robert F. “Bobby” Kennedy and nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, recently stated his opinion that global warming skeptics should be subject to jail.
Yellowhammer News reports:
Kennedy’s remarks were made during the “People’s Climate March” in New York City, which the Associated Press estimates included over 100,000 protestors calling for government action on climate change.
But while Alabamians might be quick to dismiss the Climate March and Kennedy’s comments as having taken place in the far-off liberal bastion of the great northeast, there is actually a direct Alabama connection to the whole ordeal.
Bridgework & Excavation Continue on the Northern Beltline
The first phase of construction is in progress on the Northern Beltline highway project, running between Hwy. 75 and Hwy. 79 in northeast Jefferson County.
AL.COM reports:
Heavy equipment including bulldozers, trackhoes and heavy dump trucks are moving dirt and grading an area near where the interchange will be. Construction of a temporary bridge over Self Creek in progressing and will soon allow heavy equipment to move over the creek more easily.
Studies Show Deficient Roadways Cost Alabama $3.1 Billion Each Year
The national transportation research group TRIP announced today that a recent study conducted by the group reveals Alabama loses $3.1 Billion each year due to deficient roadways within the state’s borders. TRIP director Will Wilkins joined local elected officials and CRT Chairman Mike Thompson for a morning news conference, in which the details of the study were shared with members of the working press.
Here is the complete text of the release, which shows nearly $1,600 is lost per Birmingham area motorist each year:
DEFICIENT ROADWAYS COST EACH BIRMINGHAM AREA DRIVER NEARLY $1,600 ANNUALLY, A TOTAL OF $3.1 BILLION STATEWIDE. COSTS WILL RISE AND TRANSPORTATION WOES WILL WORSEN WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT FUNDING BOOST
Birmingham, AL – Roads and bridges that are deficient, congested or lack desirable safety features cost Alabama motorists a total of $3.1 billion statewide annually – nearly $1,600 per driver in the Birmingham area – due to higher vehicle operating costs, traffic crashes and congestion-related delays. Increased investment in transportation improvements at the local, state and federal levels could relieve traffic congestion, improve road and bridge conditions, boost safety, and support long-term economic growth in Alabama, according to a new report released today by TRIP, a Washington, DC based national transportation organization.
Read moreBeltline Construction Update: Temporary Bridge Over Self Creek
As construction on the Northern Beltline progresses, the first temporary bridge is going up over Self Creek.
AL.COM reports:
The first temporary bridge over Self Creek is being built. A series of silt fences and other devices is keeping Self Creek clear. I saw dozens of fish swimming in the creek during my visit with Linda Crockett of ALDOT.