Birmingham Drivers Frustrated by Prolonged Roadwork on I-59/20
Drivers navigating the stretch of I-59/20 between Dead Man’s Curve and the U.S. Highway 31 exit in Birmingham have faced an unpaved road since October, leading to increasing frustration among commuters. Frequent traveler Elaine Kassous noted, "I’ve been on it a couple of times, I don’t like it and I try to stay away from it." Fellow driver Garland Allman expressed similar sentiments, stating, "It’s eating them tires up. We try to avoid it, go around, but you can’t."
Experts warn that driving on unpaved surfaces can damage vehicles significantly. Gabe Fikes, owner of Elite Tire and Service, explained that the rough terrain could accelerate tire wear by 20 to 25 percent. “That unevenness, that rough ride… it wears out our shocks, our struts, the suspension of the car,” Fikes said, highlighting potential repair costs in the thousands.
Todd Connell of the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) clarified that crews have been busy sealing bridges and replacing concrete slabs, stating, “There’s quite a bit of work that went on during that period from October until now.” Although ALDOT planned for the repaving to be completed by April, weather has delayed the timeline. Connell indicated that the crews would begin laying asphalt within the coming week, with completion expected in July.
For many, the wait is becoming unbearable as Allman urged authorities to expedite the process, emphasizing the tax revenue allocated for road maintenance. Paving operations will occur overnight, but the exact start date remains uncertain, with lane closures anticipated during this period. For the thousands who traverse this busy route daily, July can’t come soon enough.
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