Black Warrior Riverkeeper - Northern Beltline Media Coverage

Media Coverage (just a small sampling)

Comeback Town: Not the best way to spend $5 Billion on Birmingham (8/21/2023)
https://www.al.com/opinion/2023/08/comeback-town-not-best-way-to-spend-5-billion-on-birmingham.html

Infrastructure bill winners: Highways conceived decades ago (8/24/2021)
https://www.eenews.net/articles/infrastructure-bill-winners-highways-conceived-decades-ago/

Northern Beltline or I-20/59 relocation: Which would be a better investment for Birmingham? (5/26/2016)
http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/pulse/poll/northern-beltline-or-i-2059-relocation-which-would-be-a-better-investment-for-birmingham/19855882

50 things we could do instead of the Northern Beltline for half a billion less (5/18/2016)
http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/05/unnecessary_northern_beltline.html

What the Hell is Kakistocracy? (5/15/2016)
http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/05/what_the_hell_is_a_kakistocrac.html

Take Politics out of ALDOT (2/18/2016)
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/opinion/readers/2016/02/18/take-politics-out-aldot/80497476/

Court rejects challenges to $5.4 billion Northern Beltline highway project (1/21/2016)
www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2016/01/court_rejects_challenges_to_54.html

Court rules in favor of Birmingham’s Flawed Northern Beltline Project (1/20/2016)
http://www.southeastgreen.com/index.php/news/alabama/14863-court-rules-in-favor-of-birmingham-s-flawed-northern-beltline-project

Federal cash sustains dream of freeway through Ala. woods (12/23/2015)
http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2015/12/23/stories/1060029944

Birmingham’s Northern Beltline ranks among nation’s worst road projects (12/11/2015)
https://www.southernenvironment.org/news-and-press/news-feed/birminghams-northern-beltline-ranks-among-nations-worst-road-projects

Why Alabama’s infrastructure got a C- from the ASCE (12/10/2015)
http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/news/2015/12/10/why-alabamas-infrastructure-got-a-c-from-the-asce.html?ana=e_du_pub&s=article_du&ed=2015-12-10&u=zCaEvvqTOo7LzcQJQKj1%2BjIdmSR&t=1449840350

Alabama project lands at No. 7 on list of nation’s biggest tax boondoggles (12/10/2015)
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/12/alabama_project_lands_at_no_7.html

Who gets rich from the Northern Beltline? (12/1/2015)
http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/12/who_gets_rich_from_the_norther.html#incart_river_home

The 7th biggest boondoggle in the U.S. is Alabama’s (11/25/2010)
http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/11/the_7th_biggest_boondoggle_in.html

Birmingham’s Northern Beltline boondoggle $ucks: opinion (1/7/2015)
http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/01/the_northern_beltline_boondogg.html#incart_river

What is as costly as the Keystone Pipeline? It’s Alabama’s biggest boondoggle (1/6/2015)
http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/01/what_is_as_costly_as_the_keyst.html#incart_2box

Long Range Plan for Birmingham Region Would Allocate More than Half of Available Funding for Transportation Improvements to Northern Beltline (11/19/2014)
http://www.southeastgreen.com/index.php/news/alabama/12618-long-range-plan-for-birmingham-region-would-allocate-more-than-half-of-available-funding-for-transportation-improvements-to-northern-beltline

Northern Beltline construction scheduled to begin (2/20/2014)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2014/02/northern_beltline_construction.html

More to transportation than simply asphalt and more highways (Opinion from Chervis Isom)
http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/12/more_to_transportation_than_si.html

Black Warrior Riverkeeper challenges Northern Beltline permit in federal lawsuit (10/25/2013)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/10/black_warrior_riverkeeper_chal.html

Politics Drives Road Building in Alabama (Letter on AL.com) (10/11/2013)
www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/10/politics_drives_road_building.html

The Northern Beltline: Still Not a Done Deal or a Good Idea (10/4/2013)
https://www.southernenvironment.org/news-and-press/press-releases/the-northern-beltline-still-not-a-done-deal-or-a-good-idea

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approves permit for first segment of Northern Beltline (10/1/2013)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/09/us_army_corps_of_engineers_app.html

New cost estimate puts Northern Beltline price at about 5.45 billion (8/20/2013)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/08/new_cost_estimate_puts_norther.html

Bachus: Streamline approval process for Northern Beltline, other projects (7/12/2013)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/07/bachus_streamline_approval_pro.html

The downtown I-20/59 project deserves state interest (6/18/2013)
http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/06/the_downtown_i-2059_project_de.html

Report: Alabama road conditions cost drivers $530M a year in vehicle repairs (3/20/13)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/03/report_alabama_road_conditions.html
(Alabama road maintenance doesn’t get proper funding because the behemoth Beltline steals the majority of dwindling federal funding.)

Study: Traffic delays last longer, less predictable and affect weekends (2/7/13)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/02/study_traffic_delays_last_long.html
(When ALDOT can’t afford to make substantive changes needed for traffic flow, road maintenance, and safety, the last thing we need is a grossly-overpriced, environmentally-destructive, Northern Beltline which the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham predicted to help traffic flow by a mere 1-3%.)

U.S. keeps building new highways while letting old ones crumble (2/3/2013)
https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article24743959.html

Meet the $4.7 Billion Birmingham Highway Only Cronyism Could Build (1/28/13)
http://dc.streetsblog.org/2013/01/28/meet-the-4-7-billion-birmingham-highway-only-cronyism-could-build/

Northern Beltline is too expensive (1/25/13)
Northern Beltline is too expensive_1.25.13

The Northern Beltline and the lost art of debate (11/15/12)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2012/11/the_northern_beltline_and_the.html

Beltline money could be better spent (10/17/12)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2012/10/your_view_beltline_money_could.html

Northern Beltline’s Era has Long Passed (10/8/12)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2012/10/opinion_from_gil_rogers_beltin.html

Northern Beltline proponents blast environmental groups over ALDOT lawsuit (10/1/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/10/northern_beltline_proponents_b.html

EPA questions Northern Beltline proposal (9/14/12)
http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/news/2012/09/14/epa-questions-northern-beltline-proposal.html

EPA urges Army Corps of Engineers to reject Northern Beltline permit (9/13/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/09/epa_urges_army_corps_of_engine.html

ALDOT to benefit from languishing federal earmarks (8/26/12)
http://blog.al.com/sweethome/2012/08/aldot_to_benefit_from_languish.html

EPA wants more study before it issues construction OK for Birmingham Northern Beltline (8/22/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/08/epa_wants_more_study_before_it.html

Transportation bill eliminates designated source of funding for Northern Beltline, but keeps it on track (7/23/12)
http://blog.al.com/sweethome/2012/07/transportation_bill_eliminates.html

You can be for both business and environment in Alabama (7/19/12)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2012/07/your_view_you_can_be_for_both.html

ALDOT files final permit to begin work on Northern Beltline (7/6/12)
http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/print-edition/2012/07/06/aldot-files-final-permit-to-begin-work.html?page=all

Northern Beltline falls short on economic rewards (7/1/12)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2012/07/view_point_northern_beltline_f.html

Latest report turns thumbs down on Northern Beltline but not all our commenters agree (6/20/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/06/latest_report_turns_thumbs_dow.html

Report says economic benefits of Birmingham’s Northern Beltline exaggerated (6/20/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/06/report_says_economic_benefits.html

Study questions economic impact of Northern Beltline (6/19/12)
http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/news/2012/06/19/study-questions-economic-impact-of.html?page=all

Birmingham Water Works to hire economic development director (5/18/12)
http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2012/05/birmingham_water_works_to_hire.html

Elevated toll road plan for US 280 still up in the air, Alabama DOT chief says (5/8/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/05/elevated_toll_road_plan_still.html

Northern Beltline survey saddens residents along path and divides our commenters (5/1/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/05/northern_beltline_survey_sadde.html

Environmental groups revise lawsuit concerning Birmingham’s Northern Beltline (5/1/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/05/environmenal_groups_revise_law.html

Pork money driving Northern Beltline (4/30/12)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2012/04/your_view_pork_money_driving_n.html

Northern Beltline is multimillion-dollar boondoggle (4/28/12)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2012/04/your_view_northern_beltline_is_2.html

More discussion needed about Birmingham’s Northern Beltline (4/24/12)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2012/04/your_view_more_discussion_in_n.html

U.S. House Democrats target Northern Beltline as wasteful boondoggle (4/18/12)
http://blog.al.com/sweethome/2012/04/us_house_democrats_target_nort.html

Funding for Alabama’s Northern Beltline Uncertain (4/15/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/04/funding_for_alabamas_northern.html

Routes for bypassing downtown Birmingham possible, but all come with baggage (4/15/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/04/routes_for_bypassing_downtown.html

Questions persist as Northern Beltline construction proceeds (4/15/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/04/questions_persist_as_northern.html

Alabamians love federal pork, especially in form of Northern Beltline ( 4/6/12)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2012/04/your_view_alabamians_love_fede.html

Feds approve Alabama’s environmental evaluation of first leg of Birmingham’s Northern Beltline (3/30/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/03/feds_approve_alabamas_environm.html

Jefferson County economic development authority seeks more land for development (3/18/12)
http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2012/03/jefferson_county_economic_deve.html

Birmingham Business Alliance carrying wish list to Washington, D.C. (3/6/12)
http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2012/03/birmingham_business_alliance_c_3.html

Birmingham Business Alliance to support beltline, NIH funding in 2012 (12/8/11)
http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2011/12/bba_to_support_beltline_nih_fu.html

Jefferson County’s proposed Northern Beltline questions remain unanswered (11/27/11)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/11/viewpoints_jefferson_countys_p.html

ALDOT to delay construction of Northern Beltline for in-depth study of route (11/15/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/11/alabama_department_of_transpor_7.html

Birmingham’s Northern Beltline will benefit only a small group (10/17/11)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/10/your_view_birminghams_northern.html

Northern Beltline hearing produces few local voices (10/5/11)
https://www.blountcountian.com/articles/northern-beltline-hearingproduces-few-local-voices/

Northern Beltline stimulates … questions (10/2/11)
http://blog.al.com/archiblog/2011/10/northern_beltline_stimulates_q.html

The Northern Beltline, Urban Sprawl and You (9/26/11)
http://macklyons.blogspot.com/2011/09/northern-beltline-urban-sprawl-and-you.html

Northern Beltline route details released by Alabama Department of Transportation prior to hearings (9/22/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/09/northern_beltline_route_detail.html

Revised Northern beltline plan for metro Birmingham wins little support from commenters (poll) (9/20/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/09/revised_northern_beltline_plan.html

Read ALDOT’s full Northern Beltline study (9/19/11)
http://blog.al.com/bn/2011/09/read_aldots_full_northern_belt.html

ALDOT Releases New Study of Birmingham Northern Beltline (9/19/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/09/alabama_department_of_transpor_6.html

Public comment sought on Northern Beltline in 2 hearings (8/31/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/08/public_comment_sought_on_north.html

Birmingham’s look at Fort Wayne, Ind., should also show beltlines aren’t economic engines (8/20/11)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/08/your_view_birminghams_look_at.html

Alabama fish added to endangered species list (8/10/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/08/post_666.html

Time to put the brakes on the Northern Beltline (6/23/11)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/01/viewpoints_time_to_put_the_bra.html

Spinning a Web (6/9/11)
~~http://www.bwcitypaper.com/Articles-i-2011-06-09-242015.113121-Spinning-a-Web.html~~
“The deceptive public relations tactics of the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Coalition for Regional Transportation reveal the character of the Northern Beltline’s most ardent supporters.”

Beltline splitting family property, or taking it altogether, in northern Jefferson County (4/30/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/04/beltline_splitting_family_prop.html

Lawsuit to halt metro Birmingham’s Northern Beltline reveals deep divides among commenters (4/12/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/04/lawsuit_to_halt_metro_birmingh.html

Black Warrior Riverkeeper Northern Beltline lawsuit asks for halt to work, alternatives (4/12/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/04/black_warrior_riverkeeper_nort.html

Environmental groups sue to block Northern Beltline (4/1/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/04/environmental_groups_sue_to_ov.html

USS Real Estate has benefited from taxpayer benevolence (3/28/11)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/03/your_view_uss_real_estate_has.html

Tom Howard of USS Real Estate talks about largest landowner in county (3/20/11)
http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2011/03/on_the_record_tom_howard_of_us.html

Ground should be broken next spring for the first construction phase (3/15/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/03/i-65_to_be_rebuilt_in_hoover_a.html

Costly Northern Beltline benefits big business (2/28/11)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/02/your_view_costly_northern_belt.html

Does the new price tag on the Northern Beltline make it too expensive to build? (2/28/11)
http://blog.al.com/jkennedy/2011/02/joey_kennedy_is_the_new_price.html

OUR VIEW: New higher cost estimate for the Northern Beltline should give region’s leaders cause to reassess project to make sure it’s the best use of $4.7 billion (2/28/11)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/02/our_view_new_higher_cost_estim.html

Better use for billions than Northern Beltline (2/25/11)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/02/your_view_better_use_for_billi.html

Birmingham’s Northern Beltline cost estimate soars to $4.7 billion (2/23/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/02/birminghams_northern_beltline.html

OUR VIEW: Alabamians go lobbying for federal transportation dollars — and rural areas go lacking — even as Florida’s governor says no thanks to billions from Uncle Sam (2/21/11)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/02/our_view_alabamians_go_lobbyin.html

No legislative roadblock to Northern Beltline, key Republican lawmaker in Washington promises (2/17/11)
http://blog.al.com/sweethome/2011/02/key_republican_lawmaker_in_was.html

Birmingham Business Alliance plans D.C. trip on key issues (2/8/11)
http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2011/02/birmingham_business_alliance_p_2.html

Time to put the brakes on the Northern Beltline (1/23/11)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/01/viewpoints_time_to_put_the_bra.html

Gov.-elect Robert Bentley promises decisive leadership on issues important to Birmingham (12/14/10)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/12/governor-elect_promises_decisi.html

Shelby’s not happy about the earmark ban (11/17/10)
http://blog.al.com/sweethome/2010/11/shelbys_not_happy_about_the_ea.html

OUR VIEW: Now comes the hard part as the Birmingham Business Alliance begins building a better seven-county region (9/26/10)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2010/09/our_view_now_comes_the_hard_pa.html

Group formed only to promote road, not regional transportation (8/7/10)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2010/08/your_views_group_formed_only_t.html

Northern Beltline is not an economic savior (8/1/10)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2010/08/your_views_northern_beltline_i.html

Frustrating to see road juggernaut push along 1960s-style development (7/31/10)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2010/07/your_views_frustrating_to_see.html

Efficient transit is what we need (7/25/10)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2010/07/viewpoints_efficient_transit_i.html

Shelby, Bachus push Northern Beltline project (6/28/10)
http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/stories/2010/06/28/daily7.html

Catching the high-speed rail wave (6/27/10)
http://blog.al.com/elard/2010/06/eddie_lard_catching_the_high-s.html

Don’t focus solely on road building (6/20/10)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2010/06/my_view_dont_focus_solely_on_r.html

Plan approved for Jefferson, Shelby road work through 2035 (6/9/10)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/06/plan_for_jefferson_shelby_road.html

OUR VIEW: Before we get too far along in the building of the Northern Beltline, we should have a plan for what type of growth we want (5/16/10)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2010/05/our_view_before_we_get_too_far.html

Birmingham-area plan would drop 40 road projects for lack of funds (4/22/10)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/04/birmingham-area_plan_would_dro.html

Alabama road projects need $4.3 billion (3/26/10)
http://blog.al.com/drivers-side/2010/03/alabama_road_projects_need_43_billion.html

Birmingham Business Alliance’s top lawyer talks shop (2/8/10)
http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2010/02/post_46.html

League of Women Voters hears pros, cons of Northern Beltline for metro Birmingham (1/28/10)
http://blog.al.com/drivers-side/2010/01/league_of_women_voters_hears_pros_cons_of_northern_beltline_for_metro_birmingham.html

Northern Beltline: Questions for ALDOT (1/1/10)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2010/01/your_views_northern_beltline_q.html

Northern Beltline Work Set to Begin (12/13/09)
blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/12/northern_beltline_work_set_to.html

Northern Beltline debate comes amid calls for delay, study (12/13/09)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-stories/2009/12/northern_beltline_debate_comes.html

First segment of Northern Beltline would connect 2 rural roads (12/13/09)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-stories/2009/12/first_segment_of_northern_belt.html

Northern Beltline’s fate hinges on transportation bill in Congress (12/12/09)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-stories/2009/12/northern_beltlines_fate_hinges.html

Critical habitat status eyed for Turkey Creek (12/5/09)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-stories/2009/12/critical_habitat_status_eyed_f.html

New Alabama road projects come to halt (10/11/09)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/10/new_alabama_road_projects_come.html

BLUEPRINT AMERICA – PBS reports on infrastructure: [VIDEO] Zombie Highways (8/11/09)
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/reports/america-in-gridlock/video-zombie-highways/778/

[VIDEO] Zombie Highways: How to build a Zombie Highway (8/10/09)
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/reports/america-in-gridlock/video-zombie-highways-how-to-build-a-zombie-highway/785/

[VIDEO] Zombie Highways: Highway vs. Nature (8/10/09)
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/reports/america-in-gridlock/video-zombie-highways-highway-vs-nature/796/

[VIDEO] Rep. Jim Oberstar on the transportation bill (7/22/09)
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/reports/america-in-gridlock/interview-rep-jim-oberstar-on-the-transportation-bill/769/

[VIDEO] Overview – America in Gridlock (10/15/08)
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/reports/america-in-gridlock/overview-america-in-gridlock/18/

‘Zombie highways,’ mass transit failures: PBS ‘News Hour’ takes look at Birmingham (8/6/09)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/08/zombie_highways_mass_transit_f.html

Northern Beltline: Money drowns out reason (5/10/09)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2009/05/your_views_northern_beltline_m.html

U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby pledges federal aid for Northern Beltline project near Birmingham, AL (5/1/09)
U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby pledges federal aid for Northern Beltline_5.1.09

Beltline as it is now envisioned would endanger the Cahaba River (12/19/08)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2008/12/beltline_as_it_is_now_envision_1.html

Those with juice put on squeeze (10/26/08)
http://blog.al.com/archiblog/2008/10/those_with_juice_put_on_squeez.html

Birmingham chamber creates coalition with goal of fast-tracking Northern Beltline (10/9/08)
Birmingham chamber creates coalition_10.9.08

Northern Beltline Back in the Spotlight (Alabama Construction News – Fall 2008)
AlabamaConstructionNews_NorthernBletline_Fall2008

Beltline opponents want to save water, resources (12/16/07)
http://blog.al.com/bn/2007/12/beltline_opponents_want_to_sav.html

Dumb and Dumber (11/6/07)
blog.al.com/jdcrowe/2007/11/dumb_and_dumber.html

Regional Transportation Plan Needs Wise Approach (9/9/07)
blog.al.com/bn/2007/09/regional_transportation_plan_n.html

Sen. Shelby continues to bring home transportation bacon (9/4/03)
http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/stories/2003/09/01/daily22.html

Can’t Get There from Here – or Can We? (FORUM for Applied Research and Policy – Summer 2001)
kulash article_Summer2001

Land rush may ensue when road’s route announced this summer (5/13/01)
http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/stories/2001/05/14/focus1.html

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