Battle over speed bumps in Birmingham’s Crestwood community is escalating quickly

A heated debate is unfolding in the Crestwood South neighborhood as residents clash over the potential installation of speed bumps. What began as a local conversation about traffic safety has evolved into a full-blown community standoff, complete with door hangers, petitions, and allegations of city-led misinformation.

Community Resistance Gains Momentum

Over the weekend, residents discovered door hangers circulating throughout Crestwood South that take a hard stance against traffic-calming measures. The materials label the devices as "senseless nuisances," citing concerns about vehicle damage, increased driveway navigation difficulty, and the potential for delayed ambulance response times. A petition accompanying the campaign had garnered 401 signatures as of June 18.

William "Bill" Meneese, who spearheaded the petition, describes the city's approach as collective punishment for law-abiding drivers. "Why should the responsible 89% of drivers who obey the speed limit be punished... just because of the reckless 11% who choose to speed?" Meneese asked. He argues that neighborhood resources would be better spent on basic infrastructure like sidewalk improvements, street lighting, and pothole repairs.

The City Weighs In

Forrest L. Johnson, deputy director of the Birmingham Department of Transportation, told 205focus.com that the pushback is based on inaccurate information. "At this time no decisions have been made, no projects have been selected, and there are no upcoming installs in Crestwood South," Johnson stated. According to the city, only 53rd Street South and 58th Street South are currently under evaluation. Furthermore, the city maintains that any final selection would require a formal vote from the Crestwood South Neighborhood Association before implementation.

Diverging Opinions on Traffic Calming

Despite the vocal opposition, some neighborhood leaders support the city’s involvement. Timothy Hall, president of the Crestwood South Neighborhood Association, noted that the association previously held a vote on whether to request a traffic-calming survey. "The neighborhood decided on 58th Street S and 53rd St S. The vote was all in favor with one against the traffic calming survey," Hall said.

The city estimates that roughly 25 Birmingham neighborhoods—totaling about 40 streets—already utilize these devices. In nearby Crestwood North, former neighborhood president Frank McCrory reported a positive reception, telling 205focus.com, "We love the ones in Crestwood North and the slowing down of traffic."

Looking Ahead

While the city works to clarify the scope of its program, Meneese is planning to scale up his efforts. He intends to launch a city-wide advocacy campaign to challenge the Department of Transportation's initiative across all 98 neighborhoods. For now, the battle over the historic streets of Crestwood South remains a focal point for the city’s ongoing traffic management debate.