UAB’s 10th Avenue “Road Diet” project completed

Workers recently completed a redesign of 10 city blocks within the campus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, meant to keep pedestrians and cyclists safer.

University administrators were joined Thursday outside of the Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts facility by Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin for a ribbon-cutting to commemorate the newly completed “10th Avenue Road Diet” project.

The work along 10th Avenue South between Eighth and 18th streets included narrowing the four lanes down to three, with one eastbound lane, one westbound and a turn lane down the middle. Additionally, new, brightly colored cycling lanes were created on each roadside.

“This project improves pedestrian safety and traffic flow, and — with its bike lanes and additional green space — promotes sustainability and further beautification of our campus and our city,” said Ray L. Watts, UAB’s president, in the university’s article on the ribbon-cutting. “These are shared successes for UAB and our community, and we are grateful for the longtime partnership with the City of Birmingham that is stronger than ever.”

UAB’s facilities division worked with Birmingham officials on the yearlong redesign, which complements the city’s “Complete Streets” initiative that aims to make Birmingham streets safer for pedestrians.

“Road diets generally slow vehicular traffic, which makes it safer for our folks to walk while also providing opportunities for alternative modes of circulation, such as biking and walking,” said Geoff Boyd, director in UAB Facilities Planning Design and Construction.