By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

HOOVER—The city of Hoover may join several municipalities and other entities in funding a study to look at possible solutions for traffic congestion along U.S. 280. The Hoover City Council heard a first reading of an ordinance for a cost sharing agreement for the study during a Sept. 21 council meeting.

The study will focus on solutions to relieve traffic congestion between Cahaba Valley Road and Interstate 459. According to data from the Alabama Department of Transportation, around 78,028 vehicles drive on that portion of U.S. 280 each day.

According to the ordinance, the traffic study will examine the possibility of realigning Grants Mill Road between Cahaba Valley Road to Interstate 459 “with a new facility capable of carrying the design year projected traffic volumes at speeds of 55” miles per hour.

Along with Hoover, Birmingham, Irondale, Leeds, Mountain Brook, Vestavia, the Birmingham Water Works Board, Jefferson County and Shelby County are considering funding the study.

Each entity will pay $60,000 to fund the study, and Birmingham will contributed $560,000 in funding.

According to the agreement, Birmingham will bid the project, select an engineering consultant and will act as the project manager and coordinator.

The Hoover City Council did not take any action on the ordinance during the Sept. 21 meeting. A second reading of the ordinance and consideration for adoption will take place during the Oct. 5 council meeting.

In other business:

-The Hoover City Council donated $345,880.75 from the city’s settlement with BP to the Hoover Board of Education.

-Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey presented a proclamation to the Hoover Service Club recognizing the club’s contributions to the community and accomplishments.