BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- Today, Norwood and North Birmingham residents can express their views and concerns about a new plan to improve the roadway and traffic flow to downtown.

The Alabama Department of Transportation wants to replace bridges and make traveling in downtown Birmingham smoother. ALDOT is calling for closing many exits from Malfunction Junction on I-20/59 to 31st Street. People who live in Norwood believe it will leave them isolated.

"I really think it's not good. It separates the northside communities more than anything in the last 50 years," Norwood resident Richard Dabney said.

The exit ramps at 17th Street and 22nd Street will be closed to keep traffic flowing and to prevent multi-lane crossovers. Shutting down 28th Street at 11th Ave. and the 31st exit is a concern for the business community.

The restaurant Sol's Hot Dogs has been in Norwood for more than four decades.

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- In Birmingham, the school
district can give one of its own a big pat on the back.

Dr. Alison Grizzle, a math
teacher at Jackson-Olin High School, has been named teacher of the year.

The announcement was made
at a ceremony in Montgomery Wednesday night.

Congratulations to Dr.
Grizzle.

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BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- A new study suggests a link between good hygiene might actually cause some children to develop allergies.

The JAMA Pediatrics study suggests that children's immune systems aren't being trained to recognize and fight off certain irritants in the air. The study says American-born children are 14 percent more likely to develop allergies than those born outside the U.S. It says several factors may be to blame, including being too clean.

"Having clean drinking water, not having to deal with some of the things that third world countries have to deal with is a good thing. Whether or not we're becoming too extreme may be some to increase in allergic incidents in the children of our country and even adults," Dr. Maxcie Sikora of the Alabama Allergy and Asthma Center said.