Mrs. Basket Case and I live just south of the Jefferson / Shelby County line, and both work in downtown Birmingham.
So we were never worried about being directly impacted. We were, however, most worried about indirect impact...as in, traffic that normally goes over the 59/20 bridge diverts elsewhere and that gums up our commute.
Never thought I'd write this, but I have to give ALDOT props on the planning. Especially after the first couple of weeks as people made the adjustment, it really hasn't been that bad. Traffic on 459 is always heavy now, but it's tolerable.
The real issue is going to come when there's a major wreck on 459. Now that 459 is the alternative route, there is no alternative for 459, should it get clogged up for whatever reason.
That hasn't happened yet, but it's a question of when, not if. When it does, it's going to make getting in and out of Auburn on gameday look like racing at the Talladega 500.