Hoover – Hoover officials are pushing for a new Interstate 459 interchange just west of South Shades Crest Road. It's being studied and, if approved, could take 10 years to build.
Cost estimates range from $20 million to $28 million, including $26 million for the design preferred by Hoover. It would allow drivers to exit or enter I-459 by way of a new extension of Ross Bridge Parkway that would connect with South Shades Crest.
It's one of seven possible designs in a completed study of the project. The Federal Highway Administration requires a justification study for new access points to interstates.
The $93,000 study, done by Skipper Consulting, started in 2005 and was finished in January. Skipper's 100-page report includes maps, traffic counts and other detailed information. It covers roads and intersections along I-459 from just east of Stadium Trace Parkway to just west of Morgan Road.
Hoover City Engineer Rodney Long says the next step is to meet with the Alabama Department of Transportation.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)