Elton B. Stephens Expressway: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Red Mountain expressway.jpg|right|thumb|175px|Photo from the south along Highland Avenue.]] | [[Image:Red Mountain expressway.jpg|right|thumb|175px|Photo from the south along Highland Avenue.]] | ||
The '''Red Mountain expressway''', or as its also referred to as the Elton B. | The '''Red Mountain expressway''', or as its also referred to as the Elton B. Stephens Expressway, is a limited access freeway serving as a north-south connection between [[Homewood]] and [[Mountain Brook]] south of [[Red Mountain]] with [[I-20]]/[[I-59]] just to the northeast of downtown [[Birmingham]]. | ||
The freeway generally carries three lanes for travel in each direction and carries traffic for both [[Highway 31]] and [[Highway 280]]. Between its northern terminus and [[University Boulevard]], the freeway is elevated. From University Boulevard to its southern terminus the freeway is by and large at-grade. | The freeway generally carries three lanes for travel in each direction and carries traffic for both [[Highway 31]] and [[Highway 280]]. Between its northern terminus and [[University Boulevard]], the freeway is elevated. From University Boulevard to its southern terminus the freeway is by and large at-grade. | ||
Revision as of 12:19, 16 July 2006
The Red Mountain expressway, or as its also referred to as the Elton B. Stephens Expressway, is a limited access freeway serving as a north-south connection between Homewood and Mountain Brook south of Red Mountain with I-20/I-59 just to the northeast of downtown Birmingham.
The freeway generally carries three lanes for travel in each direction and carries traffic for both Highway 31 and Highway 280. Between its northern terminus and University Boulevard, the freeway is elevated. From University Boulevard to its southern terminus the freeway is by and large at-grade.
Termini
The southern terminus of the expressway is where Highway 31 and Highway 280 split in Homewood at Rosedale Drive. From this point Highway 31 becomes Montgomery Highway and continues in a southerly direction through Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and points beyond as it exits the Birmingham region. Highway 280 remains as a divided highway as it travels in a southeasterly direction through Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Hoover, Calera and points beyond as it exits the Birmingham region.
At its northern terminus, Highway 280 arrives at its western terminus, whilst Highway 31 continues as Caraway Boulevard through Birmingham and continues its northerly track through Fultondale, Gardendale, Morris, Kimberly, and Warrior and points beyond as it exits the Birmingham region.
History
Construction commenced in 1962 with the initial blasting of the Red Mountain cut. The cut was completed in 1967 with the highway opening in 1970.
Originally ending at 1st Avenue North, its connection with I-20/I-59 and Caraway Boulevard was completed in the 1980s over the site of Birmingham’s grand Terminal Station demolished in 1969.
In the months leading to 1996 Olympic soccer to be hosted in Legion Field, a countdown clock was located on the Highland Avenue South overpass indicating the days, hours and minutes until the event commenced in July 1996.
Exit Listing
| Northbound Exit | Number of Lanes | Southbound Exit | Number of Lanes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Boulevard | 3 | Highway 78/3rd Avenue South/4th Avenue South | 3 |
| Birmingham Zoo/Botanical Gardens | 3 | University Boulevard | 3 |
| Highway 31 South | 4 | 21st Avenue South/Vulcan Park | 3 |
| Highland Avenue South/Arlington Avenue South | 3 | Highway 31 South | 4 |
| University Boulevard | 3 | Mountain Brook/Birmingham Zoo | 4 |
| Highway 78/3rd Avenue South/4th Avenue South | 3 | ||
| Highway 11/1st Avenue North | 3 | ||
| 2nd Avenue North | 4 | ||
| Caraway Boulevard/I-20/I-59 | 4 |