Malfunction Junction
Malfunction Junction is the common nickname of the heavily traveled intersection of I-20/I-59 and I-65 located just to the northwest of the downtown Birmingham core. Along I-20/I-59 this is Exit 124 and along I-65 this is Exit 260. It has earned this moniker due to its irregular configuration that requires motorists to shift across multiple lanes to traverse the intersection. Considered to be out-of-date by current interstate standards, additional lanes through the interchange were added in 2003 to alleviate some congestion, with future plans calling for its complete reconstruction.
Major Accidents
On January 5, 2002, an accident resulted in the death of trucker Tim Dyson after his tanker truck was cut-off by another motorist and lost control while heading northbound through the interchange along I-65. The resulting explosion caused severe damage to the bridge connecting I-20/I-59 southwest with I-65 south. The bridge would remain closed until February 25, 2002, resulting in motorists being detoured to Highway 78/Arkadelphia Road during the interim. Repairs were completed by Brasfield & Gorrie in just 38 days after demolition of the damaged bridge was complete. Former governor Don Siegelman, Representative Spencer Bachus and state Department of Transportation director Paul Bowlin attended its rededication in February 2002. [1]
On October 21, 2004, a tractor trailer again wrecked igniting 9,000 gallons of diesel fuel resulting in severe damage and the closure of the connecting ramp from I-20/I-59 northeast with I-65 north. The driver Bryan Gerald wrecked as a result of his truck rolling over as a result of speeding on the connector ramp connecting I-65 north with I-20/I-59 southwest. The bridge would remain closed until December 4, 2004, resulting in motorists being detoured to Highway 78/Arkadelphia Road during the interim. Repairs were completed by Brasfield & Gorrie and the White Morris Group just five weeks after demolition of the damaged bridge was complete. [2]