Call Center Company in Tuscaloosa, AL

With the departure of students comes blockages and re-routings around the University of Alabama campus, as Tuscaloosa's largest employer takes advantage of the interim between the end of spring semester, and the beginning of summer's classes, to perform needed construction, renovation and repair.

Spring and summer 2025 impacts may seem lessened this year, for students and others navigating campus, as detours and lane shifts keep traffic flow possible.

UA plans its road construction to make minimal impact on students, while still doing the most cost-effective work, said Matt Skinner, interim senior associate vice president for campus development at UA.

"It's strictly infrastructure improvement, storm sewer, removing some large concrete barriers that cause issues," Skinner said, "also some technology enhancements for security."

That's not the full scope of construction at UA, of course.

"Simultaneously, we do probably between 15 and 20 large capital projects during the summer," Skinner said, with about $690 million invested in overall campus construction.

Among those ongoing projects:

"About $100 million of (those capital projects) is going to be completed over this summer," Skinner said. The University Boulevard and Colonial Drive work is budgeted at $14,800,000.

Shutdowns will reroute traffic as the main artery through campus, University Boulevard, will be affected in two phases.

Also since May 5, there's a lane shift on Hackberry Lane, and unleaded fuel pump closures.

Hackberry near the railroad tracks at 12th and 13th Street will have a marked lane shift. Vehicles will still be able to travel in both directions. That work is scheduled to be completed by June 27.

University Services Campus on Ruby Tyler Parkway is closed for construction through Aug. 24. UA vehicles can use the alternate fuel station at 1227 14th St.

For more on that, call 205-348-3400, or email [email protected].

Reach Mark Hughes Cobb at[email protected].

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox on Friday announced that Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue Captain Mark Delk has been appointed its new chief.

Patch Staff

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox on Friday announced that Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue Captain Mark Delk has been appointed its new chief.

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“There is no greater responsibility than protecting the lives of the people who call Tuscaloosa home, and that begins with strong leadership in public safety,” Maddox said. “Captain Delk has spent nearly two decades preparing for this role — not just through emergency response, but by shaping the next generation of firefighters and paramedics. His dedication, his innovation in training, and his steady leadership are exactly what TFR needs as we look to the future.”

Delk brings nearly two decades of experience in fire service and emergency response to the role.Delk joined the department in 2006 and has served as a paramedic and apparatus operator, before working as a lieutenant paramedic. In this role he oversaw station operations, emergency responses, training, and public education initiatives.

“Serving this department and the citizens of Tuscaloosa has been the honor of my career,” Delk said. “I’m humbled by this opportunity and ready to build on our foundation by advancing training, supporting our personnel, and strengthening public safety throughout our community.”

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Along with his operational roles, Delk has also led the development of numerous safety and medical training programs that have advanced fire and EMS education statewide.

Delk has also served since 2010 as a training specialist at the Alabama Fire College, where he designed and led programs ranging from CPR and paramedic pharmacology to high-level critical care and flight paramedic certification courses.

The city cited Delk's innovations such as launching online learning platforms and life-paced EMT and AEMT programs, saying that they have expanded access to fire and EMS training across Alabama and into neighboring states.

His first day on the job will be June 14.

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Tuscaloosa, AL (May 8, 2025) – Emergency responders from Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue worked swiftly to contain a fire that broke out at the Hunt Refining Company late Wednesday morning. Around 11:30 a.m. on May 7, crews were on-site performing restart operations following a power failure when the incident occurred.

According to a statement from Hunt Refining Company, flames ignited during the startup process, triggering an immediate response from the facility’s internal fire brigade in coordination with Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue Services. Thanks to their joint efforts, the fire was extinguished promptly.

Officials confirmed that four individuals were transported off-site for medical evaluation following the fire. While the extent of their injuries has not been disclosed, paramedics ensured all victims received timely and appropriate care. The nature of their conditions remains under assessment as of this report.

Company representatives stated that emergency protocols were enacted immediately to mitigate further risk. The refinery has not indicated when operations will resume, and the facility remains under close monitoring. Investigators are now working to determine the root cause of the fire, including any contributing mechanical or procedural failures.

Our thoughts are with the injured individuals and their families during this difficult time.

Industrial Accidents in Alabama

Refinery fires, though relatively rare, present significant safety risks to workers and the surrounding community. In Alabama, incidents at energy and chemical facilities often stem from equipment malfunctions, high-pressure system failures, or procedural oversights, especially during restart or shutdown phases. In this case, the fire erupted during a power failure recovery operation, a critical period known to carry elevated risk.

Historically, Alabama has maintained rigorous safety standards in industrial zones, including mandatory emergency response plans and oversight by agencies like OSHA and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). However, even with these safeguards, accidents such as the one at Hunt Refining serve as stark reminders of the importance of continual safety checks and training.

For Tuscaloosa residents, the quick response by both the company and city fire personnel prevented a more catastrophic outcome. That said, the broader implications of industrial fires, ranging from environmental hazards to long-term health effects for those exposed, cannot be overlooked. The refinery’s proximity to residential zones raises additional concerns for air quality and post-incident cleanup measures.

Looking ahead, it is crucial that investigations thoroughly assess whether all safety procedures were followed and whether improvements are needed in maintenance, system design, or emergency training. A comprehensive root-cause analysis will not only aid in preventing recurrence but also restore community confidence in local industrial operations.

If you or a loved one has been affected by an industrial incident, understanding your rights and the available medical and legal support options can make a meaningful difference during recovery.

If your family was impacted by the fire at Hunt Refining or another recent industrial accident, Local Accident Reports is here to support you. We provide timely updates, resources, and referrals to help victims and their families navigate recovery. Don’t face these challenges alone—connect with the help you deserve today.

Good morning, Tuscaloosa! Let's get you all caught up on this Thursday morning.

In today's Daily, we have these stories and more ...

First, a look at today's weather:Humid; a strong p.m. t-storm. High: 80 | Low: 61 ⛈

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Our Shout Out for this Thursday morning goes to the PARA 10-U league champions — The Tuscaloosa Baseball league Rangers — who went undefeated during regular season and won the championship game Monday night. Harry Shumaker is the team's head coach.

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Our mission to bring quality, independent journalism to Tuscaloosa would not be possible without the support of our friends at DCH Health System, Regus Office Centre, United Way of West Alabama, Strange Brew Coffeehouse, Right Space Commercial and BankFirst. Interested in becoming a local Tuscaloosa Patch sponsor? Please email me at [email protected].

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