BIRMINGHAM, Alabama. (WIAT) – The lights may soon come back on along the highways of Magic City. At the moment members of Birmingham City Council say they are having conversations to try to resolve the darkness.
Councilman Clinton Woods joined CBS 42 News anchor Sherri Jackson on Tuesday and talked about the freeway lights. He said it was a combination of vandalism and burned out lights.
“There’s legitimate vandalism where lights get vandalized and people steal copper,” Woods said. “Anything we can do to get there, but it’s a process and we work through bureaucracy.”
Birmingham Drivers told CBS 42 this posed a safety concern.
“It would be nice to have more ceiling lighting to know where the lights are and so on,” said Isabella Distefano.
It’s noticeable darkness for Birmingham drivers like Amelia Fouts.
“Sometimes it’s just hard to make sure I’m where I need to be on the road,” Fouts said. “Having well-lit driving conditions, especially at night, I think will create a safer situation for everyone on the road.”
Woods said that although the freeways are state roads, the city is looking to prioritize lights after receiving several complaints. He said the council is looking to partner with the state to try to make sure that happens by the World Games.
“There are a lot of people working in a lot of different rooms right now trying to solve this problem,” Woods said.
CBS 42 spoke to an ALDOT spokesperson by phone on Tuesday who said ALDOT and Birmingham are seeking to match funds of approximately $1.4 million each to turn the lights back on.
Five points of interest include:
- Arkadelphia Exit on I-20/59
- Ensley Five Points West Exit on I-20/59
- University Blvd. Exit on I-65
- Greensprings Exit on I-65
- Norwood to Woodlawn near airport on I-20/59
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