ALDOT to host public meetings for Cahaba Beach Road bridge project

A project to reconnect Cahaba Beach Road over the Little Cahaba River will be presented to the public in two meetings next week.

ALDOT has been conducting engineering and environmental studies on a project that would build a new bridge over the Little Cahaba and extend Cahaba Beach Road from Swan Drive to Sicard Hollow Road.

The project is planned to relieve some traffic. In an August 2015 interview when studies originally began, Shelby County engineer Scott Holladay said the diverted traffic would be below 10 percent of 280's total car load. An average of 73,625 cars pass through intersections between Interstate 459 and Highway 119 daily.

Some residents have had concerns about the environmental impact on the river by demolishing the current, unused bridge and building a new one, as well. Since the Cahaba Beach Road bridge would be a federal project, environmental studies are required in order to proceed with the project.

The public involvement meetings on Oct. 11 and 13 will be a chance for ALDOT employees to present maps and plans for the project, answer questions and collect public comments. The first meeting is Oct. 11 at Liberty Park Middle's cafeteria from 5 to 7 p.m. The second will be Oct. 13 at First Christian Church, 4954 Valleydale Road, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Comments can also be emailed to Geneva Brown at browng@dot.state.al.us or mailed:

ATTN: Geneva Brown, PE

East Central Region, ALDOT

P.O. Box 2745

Birmingham, AL 35202