Highway 280 Chaos: Major Lane Closures Ahead – What Drivers Need to Know

Starting Monday night, commuters along Highway 280 in Birmingham should brace for significant delays as new lane closures kick off another phase of construction. The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) warns of nighttime disruptions that could spill into early morning traffic.

Where and When the Closures Hit

• Location: Between the I-459 interchange and Inverness Parkway
• Schedule: 8 PM to 6 AM, Monday through Thursday
• Reason: Bridge maintenance and pavement upgrades

Why This Stretch Matters

This segment sees over 85,000 vehicles daily, with bottlenecks already common during peak hours. The overnight work aims to minimize daytime impacts, but residual delays are likely as crews wrap up each morning.

Expert Tips to Navigate the Mess

1. Check real-time apps: Google Maps or Waze 30 minutes before leaving
2. Consider alternate routes: US 31 or Cahaba River Road for east-west trips
3. Adjust work hours: Leaving 20 minutes early avoids the 7 AM congestion

What's Next for 280 Commuters

ALDOT confirms this is phase one of a six-month improvement project that will include:

• New acceleration lanes at key exits
• Smart traffic signal synchronization
• Permanent pothole repairs using polymer-infused asphalt

What Do You Think?

• Should cities impose carpool requirements during major construction projects?
• Are overnight closures truly less disruptive, or do they just shift the burden to shift workers?
• Would you support temporary tolls to fund faster completion of roadwork?
• Do construction companies intentionally drag out projects to maximize profits?

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