Concerns grow in Tuscaloosa over possible exit closure on Campus Dr.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala ( WIAT ) — The Alabama Department of Transportation is looking for ways to bring the Campus Drive exit up to certain state and highway transportation design standards, and one option is permanently closing the exit.

“It makes zero sense,” City Council President Kip Tyner said. “They say it’s a safety issue. In the last 8 years, there has been 8 wrecks.”

The exit is off of U.S. Highway 82 within the Tuscaloosa City limits. Motorists can access Campus Drive and Julia Tutwiler Parkway where schools, Pop Stroke, Baumhower’s Victory Grill, and the Hampton Inn are located.

Motorists can also connect to Helen Keller Parkway faster, where apartments and more businesses, such as doctors offices are located.

While ALDOT cited design concerns as grounds to close the exit – safety concerns over the exits removal are being expressed via letters to Gov. Kay Ivey and Sen. Katie Britt.

“We have backing from the fire chief who had the most telling letter of all, that has been sent to the governor,” Tyner said.

The letter read in part: “Saving minutes save lives,” Tyner said.

Motorists can take McFarland Boulevard to Jack Warner Parkway or University Boulevard and then to Helen Keller instead of taking the Campus Drive exit.

If the exit is closed and the schools or another business had to call 911, first responders would have no other choice than to also take those alternative routes and “that’s minutes lost,” Tyner said.

While travel time is not crucial for everyone and every driving situation, getting to their destination is.

“If you’re from Tuscaloosa, you know your way around these streets,” Mikalea James said.

However, not everyone can easily navigate throughout the city.

Bo Wallace is familiar with the area. Every time he comes to Tuscaloosa he stays at the Hampton Inn, and always gets off on Campus Drive.

“That’s the only way I know in,” Wallace said “This town is a lot different than when I went to school here 40 years ago.”

The City is also a busier place than it was 40 years ago – especially on gamedays – and if people are headed to UA’s campus, Council President Kip Tyner said a majority of them are taking the same exit as Wallace.

Approximately 2,000 motorists drive on Campus Drive exit every day according to ALDOT. If the road is closed, those vehicles have to re-route somewhere else.

“The biggest thing is controlling the traffic because it’s going to be horrible,” Baumhower’s Victory Grill Employee Darius Miles said.

Baumhower’s is a popular food spot whether there’s a kick-off, or it’s off season. If the exit closes, Miles said it could cause even more congestion around the restaurant when people are coming and going.

“I think they should leave it open,” Miles said.

Prospective companies also want the exit left open.

“We’ve got major commercial development that are wanting to come,” Tyner said. “But they’re not going to come if the exit is closed – they’ve said that.”

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