Hoover Road Grant

Latest Article From the Birmingham News:

The Federal Highway Administration has decided that a proposed interchange for Interstate 459 that would connect to South Shades Crest Road in Hoover is acceptable and justified, clearing the way for the city to seek funding.

In a May 25 letter, the federal agency gave approval to a justification study the city submitted that included maps, traffic counts and other detailed information, outlining why the interchange is needed. The FHWA requires a justification study for new access points to interstates.

"We got through the first hurdle to getting the interchange installed," Hoover Mayor Tony Petelos said. "This is huge, because they do agree we need an interchange."

Assistant City Executive Director Tim Westhoven said the next step is for the city to identify a funding source for a proposed interchange, which could include federal matching money. The interchange is projected to cost at least $26 million, which does not include right-of-way acquisition, Petelos said.

The interchange is included in the long-range transportation plan for the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham, but there is no funding.

Hoover has been successful in getting federal money in the past for the city's traffic needs. It received congressional earmarks for other projects, such as the I-459 flyover at the Riverchase Galleria and a Sulphur Springs Road bypass.

The city in March 2009 submitted the study for the interstate exit at South Shades Crest Road, done by Skipper Consulting, to the Alabama Department of Transportation for approval and for review by the FHWA. The study covered roads and intersections along I-459 from just east of Stadium Trace Parkway to just west of Morgan Road.

It found that drivers face delays and congestion at John Hawkins Parkway and Morgan Road interchanges with I-459 and on other main roads and intersections in the area. It found that seven of 14 intersections in the study were deficient in handling traffic flow during peak areas.

The study also found that congestion would worsen as growth continues, a conclusion that took into account other planned road improvements and traffic count projections to 2030. It also determined that the new interchange would relieve congestion by giving residents in Russet Woods, Lake Crest, Lake Cyrus, Ross Bridge and other neighborhoods more direct interstate access. The study also found that improvements to local roads alone would not be sufficient to relieve congestion.

The study focused on three interchange alternates. The FHWA recommended a proposal known as the "Tight Diamond Interchange at the Ross Bridge Parkway Extension," which would also feature an extension of Ross Bridge Parkway that would connect with Brock's Gap Parkway and would include a bridge over I-459.

Petelos said it will be a decade or more before the interchange could become a reality, but he said the approval means progress. "This is one hurdle with many more to go," he said.

City of Hoover Road Grant Application

In July, and then again in September, 2009, articles appeared in the Birmingham News letting us know that the City of Hoover had applied for a grant for their Ross Bridge Parkway Extension. This grant would fund putting a road right through the middle of our range taking our entire property. This grant was applied for with the endorsement of both Shelby and Jefferson Counties.

We are asking you to mobilize and act NOW by writing letters, sending emails, and making phone calls. We have provided a contact list (linked below: Hoover Rd Project Contacts). We are asking that you take the time to contact as many of the officials and organizations as you possibly can. If you are unable to take the time to get with all of them, we have highlighted in red and blue text the ones that are the most important (crucial). We are providing two templates to assist in saving you time. However, if you want to compose your own letter, we encourage it. The templates are in Word format so that you can add or change anyway you like. You supply the date, address, recipient, and signature.

Template 1 should go to the addresses in the red text (and black text). The 2nd template should go to the ones in the blue text. Our case is clearly stated in each of the letters. Your BGTC Board has worked very hard to make this as easy as possible for you, but we need you to help us influence the officials to save our range by stopping the proposed project.

In addition, we have provided a picture of the historical marker showing the significance of our beautiful gap. We have attached several pictures of the road and gap itself. Use them if you would like to send pictures with your letters/emails.

If you should know of anyone who might be able to help with this matter, please let us know. If you have any ideas or suggestions that might help, please get with one of your BGTC Board Members. If you have any question at all, please contact us.

If we all stick together and work together, we can convince Hoover that we are a much needed and unique facility. We cannot move anywhere else and be afforded the Alabama Range Protection Act. We must save our range!!!