53 replies to this topic

[Southron]

Blazer85, on Jun 2 2007, 10:57 AM, said:

Planning for the segment from I-65 to US 31 is underway and a feasability study is being done to see about extending I-22 to I-20/59 east of Birmingham.

Would the extension to I-20/59 be in addition to the northern beltline?

[Alabadrock]

ExpatBaman, on Jun 2 2007, 03:22 PM, said:

Would the extension to I-20/59 be in addition to the northern beltline?

If you mean part of the North Beltline, then no.  The Beltline is going to be a bit further north if I'm not mistaken.  

But, if you mean to supplement the Beltline, I dunno, we'll wait for Blazer to answer

[kayman]

I can answer this, no this extension will not be a part of the Northern Beltline.  I will be just another connection to the I-20/59, but not having to venture through Malfunction Junction.

[convulso]

so will this portion be a controlled-access highway with its own spur-numbered designation?

[codyg1985]

convulso, on Jun 4 2007, 05:00 AM, said:

so will this portion be a controlled-access highway with its own spur-numbered designation?

If that portion eventually goes from I-65 east to I-20/59, then I would assume it would also get the I-22 designation, but if it just ends at US 31, then it would be interesting to see how it is numbered and signed.  I would assume that it may not get a number at all, but instead it would be signed as "To US 31" or something like that.

[kayman]

convulso, on Jun 4 2007, 05:00 AM, said:

so will this portion be a controlled-access highway with its own spur-numbered designation?

Yes, it would be a controlled-access freeway.

[Alabadrock]

codyg1985, on Jun 4 2007, 05:14 AM, said:

If that portion eventually goes from I-65 east to I-20/59, then I would assume it would also get the I-22 designation, but if it just ends at US 31, then it would be interesting to see how it is numbered and signed.  I would assume that it may not get a number at all, but instead it would be signed as "To US 31" or something like that.

The I-22 name would probably carry over.  It's basically the same thing up here between Huntsville and Decatur.  As I-565 intersects with I-65 in Decatur, I-565 keeps going about another 100 feet or so past the interchange.  Back when Decatur wanted to extend I-565 to the interchange that contains AL 20, US 31, and Alt 72 it would've been 565.  So, I'm sure that I-22 would be the same.  

But you also have the weird cases.  I-759 in Gadsden ends at Rainbow Dr, and flies over the Coosa as AL 759, it eventually terminates at George Wallace Dr.

So, actually, it's just all up to ALDOT.  I'm sure they'll make some really unintelligent decision.

[Blazer85]

Yeah... the study to extend I-22 to I-20/59 would by no means be intended to replace the northern beltline... it would simply be another alternative that would allow passers-thru to go from I-22 straight to I-20/59 without having to merge onto I-65 and create more mayhem for Malfunction Junction.  It actually makes sense, but I dont know how many homes it would take or the cost so it might not be that feasible... but I'm glad they're at least looking into it.  

BTW, anyone know when this week the new segment is supposed to open up?  Even before I-22 is tied into I-65, I think we'll all start to see a huge explosion of residential, commercial, etc. growth in the area around Adamsville/Graysville/Brookside/Cardiff/Fultondale.  Over the next 10 years, that section of Jefferson County will probably be the "hot spot."

[Alabadrock]

Blazer85, on Jun 5 2007, 02:15 PM, said:

BTW, anyone know when this week the new segment is supposed to open up?  Even before I-22 is tied into I-65, I think we'll all start to see a huge explosion of residential, commercial, etc. growth in the area around Adamsville/Graysville/Brookside/Cardiff/Fultondale.  Over the next 10 years, that section of Jefferson County will probably be the "hot spot."

Yea, it definitely will grow more.  But, I think it'll just add to the growth.  There'll still be growth going on in the other high growth areas around Birmingham though, I bet.

[Blazer85]

Alabadrock, on Jun 5 2007, 10:16 PM, said:

Yea, it definitely will grow more.  But, I think it'll just add to the growth.  There'll still be growth going on in the other high growth areas around Birmingham though, I bet.

I agree, but hope that the northern and western growth is stronger than that of the south and east... if for no other reason but to counter-balance the seeming southward population shift.  Alot of strong growth to the north should help recenter the population center around downtown Birmingham.

[Alabadrock]

Blazer85, on Jun 6 2007, 01:52 PM, said:

I agree, but hope that the northern and western growth is stronger than that of the south and east... if for no other reason but to counter-balance the seeming southward population shift.  Alot of strong growth to the north should help recenter the population center around downtown Birmingham.

I think that the population is going  re-center around Birmingham no matter what happens.  Even without I-22, it's bound to happen.  You've got quality of life improving all over the area.  So, people are going to eventually say,"Hey, why live in a sprawling neighborhood with bad traffic when we can live in a nice place with good traffic."  Of course, I'm sure that's what started Shelby county's growth, but, maybe this time they can control it.

[aboutmetro]

Federal Highway Funding is being cut in every state - including in Alabama - Forbes.

[Gyrobob]

How far has I-22 progressed?

I have to travel from  Newnan, GA to Cabot, AR tomorrow.  When I am traveling near Birmingham, how soon  can I get on Hwy 78 (future I-22)?

I have gone through Birmingham  recently on this trip and I took I-20 to Hwy4/Hwy5 then eventually up to future  I-22.  

Has the future I-22 progressed far enough for me to get on it  any sooner than that?   In other words, how far has I-22  progressed to Birmingham?

Thanks,

Bob

[kayman]

Gyrobob, on Sep 17 2008, 07:52 AM, said:

How far has I-22 progressed?

I have to travel from  Newnan, GA to Cabot, AR tomorrow.  When I am traveling near Birmingham, how soon  can I get on Hwy 78 (future I-22)?

I have gone through Birmingham  recently on this trip and I took I-20 to Hwy4/Hwy5 then eventually up to future  I-22.  

Has the future I-22 progressed far enough for me to get on it  any sooner than that?   In other words, how far has I-22  progressed to Birmingham?

Thanks,

Bob

I-22 has progressed most of the way to Birmingham with nearly 5 miles still to be constructed from the Cherry Avenue interchange to the I-65 stack interchange.  You can access I-22 @ Cherry Avenue and drive to Horn Lake, MS along the roadway without interruption.