Six years ago, the Alabama Department of Transportation and the city of Tuscaloosa traded streets.
The city took on oversight of University Boulevard, thereby removing the strict state oversight regarding ingress, egress and other factors that can affect or limit how property owners, particularly businesses, can access the roadway.
In exchange, ALDOT received 15th Street, converted it to Alabama Highway 215 and got a straight-shot roadway through one of the state’s largest cities.
“We see this as a benefit to all parties,” said then-City Attorney Glenda Webb in summer 2015 when the deal was finalized.
Now, the city is looking to reclaim 15th Street and, with it, most of Greensboro Avenue from ALDOT to, again, free up developments from the rigid regulations imposed by the state highway department that are meant to improve safety for drivers.