As the city’s previous road resurfacing plan from 2017 wraps up this year, Birmingham Department of Transportation (BDOT) Director James Fowler says he is excited to get started on a new plan- one that will make the city easier and safer to bike, walk and drive.

Fowler also shed light on some ways the city is working to restructure their towing ordinance after multiple complaints from Birmingham drivers accusing company Parking Enforcement Systems, of predatory towing practices.

We chatted recently about the new resurfacing plan BDOT is working on for the city’s roads, can you tell me a little more about that?

Just in general with our resurfacing program we are now consistently investing in paving year over year and the amount that we’re able to invest each year continues to grow. So, this year when we combine our city’s funding with some additional grant funding we’ve received we’ll actually be investing close to $20 million in this calendar year in paving.

But then next year the mayor wants to even further increase the city’s contribution to paving. So that consistency is helping us have an ongoing program which I think people are starting to feel and will certainly feel in the future.