Downtown construction detours and updates

The Old Woodward reconstruction project in downtown Birmingham is well underway, with roadway milling complete, sewer lining work underway and concrete removal ongoing. As work continues, this weekend will see the temporary intersection closures of Old Woodward and Brown Street and Maple and Old Woodward beginning Monday, April 9, as it begins to be completely reconstructed, with a detour for drivers.

The city of Birmingham is working hard to keep everyone in the loop and updated on the status of the road reconstruction project, and letting shoppers and visitors know that all of the downtown stores, businesses and restaurants remain open and excited to see people.

This week, work on the road has included the installation of a new water main and new gas main, as well as the continued removal of concrete. On Saturday, April 7, and Sunday, April 8, to help minimize impact on the surrounding community, the intersection at Brown Street must be closed for a two-day period while a new, large sewer is installed. Complete closure of the intersection is planned only for the one weekend, and the intersection should be open again to traffic by the end of the work day on Sunday, April 8.

The city said they do not anticipate, at this point, additional complete closures there, although there will be periods in the future when westbound Brown Street is closed in order to allow room to reconstruct the pavement in the intersection.

About 400 feet of Maple Road, in and around the immediate area of the Old Woodward intersection, has be completely reconstructed, and to make room for this work, westbound Maple Road through traffic will be detoured, beginning Monday, April 9, for the majority of the project. All westbound Maple motorists will be required to turn north (left) at Park Street. The detour will then take drivers west on Oakland Avenue and Willits Street, and then using the short block of Chester, back to Maple Road on the western end of downtown.

Westbound Oakland Avenue and Willits Street will be converted to two lanes in the westerly direction to help reduce traffic backups.

Eastbound traffic will continue to use Maple Road through downtown. Maple from Henrietta Street to Park/Peabody streets will function as a one-way street during this period. Visitors to Birmingham retailers are recommended to approach from the west to find parking spaces during this time.

City officials advise that underground work is planned in the Old Woodward and Maple Road intersection that will necessitate up to three weekend closures, with the first tentatively planned for April 14-15.