Hoover Has It!

     Traffic is what Hoover, Alabama has!  I had the opportunity to work there today and traffic was just as bad as I remembered!  I liked the new Memorial Dr. that was built beside the Library, but the traffic light on Highway 31 isn't timed well.  Drivers get to stop there, then pull up and stop at Chapel, then stop at the next light, and so on and so forth... all the way to the Galleria.  It doesn't let up, until you pass highway 119.  Maybe they believe that if you are stopped at every intersection, you'll get an irresistible urge to get off the highway and spend money.  It's a money trap as opposed to a speed trap!
     It doesn't get much better going the opposite direction toward Vestavia either.  Even with the two lanes blocked for Interstate 65 construction, I believe I saw people getting off Highway 31 to make better time on the Interstate.  Twenty five MPH is better than 0, so 25>0 but not equal to lost time on road.
     Speaking of ALDOT, I have to comment about their untimely construction attempts to finish the job on I65 south past Highway 119.  It is taking forever!  It reminds me of the acronym my niece gave them, "Always Late Doing Our Thing"!  By the time they finish, the road will be outdated and need more lanes!  In addition, the lane changes on Highway 52 from the same project are asinine!  First of all, the lines from the old road do not match the new wider one!  Drivers gets confused because the right lane going west ends abruptly in the middle of the bridge with no warning!  Only the left lane goes through.  Going east, the right lane used to be for the entrance ramp, it now goes straight, but people still fight for the left lane...  Give us some signs, guys!!!  We have stupid people, driving around using cell phones & texting!  I even saw a guy with a newspaper across his steering wheel last week!  These people must have advanced warning or we're all going to die! 
     I also saw the old Hartwood Apartments with the hugh fence around it.  The city purchased it for 2.4 million dollars in 2010 and plans some type of commercial venture there.  It had been an eyesore for some time due to the hugh population of day laborers that lived there.  I remember seeing hundreds waiting each morning for job opportunities.  The ones who didn't get hired mostly wandered around, especially at the shopping center across the street.  Needless to say, customers for the stores began to shop elsewhere.  Driving by today, I didn't see any laborers waiting, so they have relocated elsewhere. There is a report from the Hispanic view here.
     With that in mind, I want to congratulate the Alabama Legislature for passing the new immigration bill.  It is waiting on the Governor's signature.  That is awesome, and something the Democrats couldn't get done!  Very proud of our leaders in Montgomery this year!  It's been a long time since conservatism reigned in the capitol.  Now, if they could just do something with ALDOT!