Birmingham Advances Road and Intersection Projects
New roadway plans in Avondale and near Barber Motorsports Park aim to improve traffic flow and support local redevelopment.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Car Types
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The Birmingham City Council Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has advanced two local roadway improvement projects, including an intersection redesign in Avondale and a joint resurfacing effort on Rex Lake Road. These initiatives aim to support commercial growth and reduce future maintenance costs for Birmingham commuters.
Why it matters
By reconfiguring intersections and partnering on road work early, the city seeks to improve traffic flow around redeveloping business sites while curbing long-term infrastructure expenses. These updates are intended to align with the city's 2020 long-term transportation plan.
Birmingham is seeking a $2 million state grant for Avondale intersection improvements and has committed $96,616 toward a partnership with Jefferson County for future work on Rex Lake Road. These projects follow a 2020 long-term transportation plan for Crestwood Boulevard.
The players
Birmingham City Council Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
The local governing body responsible for reviewing and recommending roadway improvement projects and municipal infrastructure investments.
Jefferson County
The regional government authority partnering with the city to coordinate multi-lane road resurfacing projects.
The details
The Avondale project will replace current angled connections on Third, Fourth, and Fifth avenues South with conventional intersections and add a dedicated left-turn signal phase to improve safety and access to the former Continental Gin property. Meanwhile, the Rex Lake Road partnership with Jefferson County allows the city to pre-fund resurfacing efforts near Barber Motorsports Park, saving money compared to the projected cost of independent construction in five or six years.
Timeline
2020: Long-term transportation plan for Crestwood Boulevard was developed.
October 26, 2026: Transportation committee recommended advancing both roadway projects.
Mid-November 2026: Grant application submission deadline.
January-February 2027: Anticipated funding decisions for Avondale grant.
2031-2032: Estimated time when Rex Lake Road resurfacing becomes necessary.
The Home Front
These proposed changes reflect a broader municipal strategy to modernize aging arterial roads to support commercial redevelopment. The project aligns with the city's 2020 long-term transportation plan for Crestwood Boulevard, focusing on traffic safety and cost-effective maintenance.
Commuters in Avondale should anticipate potential traffic patterns changes if the grant-funded intersection redesigns are approved next year. Residents who frequently drive near Barber Motorsports Park can expect coordinated maintenance work on Rex Lake Road in the coming years.
The takeaway
These infrastructure proposals aim to boost local commercial access while proactively managing future maintenance costs. Keep an eye on city council updates in early 2027 to see if the Avondale intersection funding is secured.
Further reading
For more on how local infrastructure changes affect your commute, see Car Types.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBMA.
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