Northern Beltline
The Northern Beltline is the proposed by-pass route around Birmingham through northern and western Jefferson County. Along with the existing I-459, the Northern Beltline would complete the loop bypass of central Birmingham for all interstate traffic. Current plans for the route have it connecting at I-459's current southern terminus in Bessemer with I-59 at approximately mile marker 147 to the northeast of Trussville. Additional studies are underway to determine the economic feasibility to continue the route from its proposed northern terminus to I-20 in the Leeds/Moody area.
History
The completion of Birmingham's outer beltway has been speculated since the completion of I-459 in 1985. The route has been designated as the Appalachian Regional Commission, High Priority Corridor X-1. In 2000, the Northern Beltline was added to the area’s Transportation Plan, and in 2001, congressmen Richard Shelby and Spencer Bachus secured $60 million to buy right-of-way and do preliminary engineering for the route. In 2003, Shelby secured an additional $2 million for the continued purchasing of right-of-way. Progress continues with the purchasing of additional right-of way through the county as of 2006.
Proposed routing
According to the Birmingham Metropolitan Planning Organization the Northern Beltline would be divided into five separate segments for construction.
Segment | Western End | Eastern End | Mileage | Communities traversed | Exits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Segment 1 | I-459 | Jefferson County 46 | 9.02 | Bessemer, Hueytown | I-459, Jefferson County 29, Jefferson County 46 |
Segment 2 | Jefferson County 46 | Highway 78 | 9.58 | Pleasant Grove, Sylvan Springs, Mulga, Maytown, Adamsville | Alabama 269, Highway 78 |
Segment 3 | Highway 78 | Jefferson County 77/New Found Road | 8.28 | Adamsville, Graysville, Cardiff, Brookside | Highway 78 |
Segment 4 | Jefferson County 77/New Found Road | Jefferson County 121/New Castle Road | 10.20 | Brookside, Gardendale, Morris | Jefferson County 112, I-65, Highway 31, Jefferson County 129 |
Segment 5 | Jefferson County 121/New Found Road | I-59 | 13.00 | Pinson, Clay, Trussville | Alabama 79, Alabama 75, Jefferson County 30/Old Springville Road, I-59 |
References
- Nicholson, Gilbert (May 11, 2001) "Northern Beltline: Land rush may ensue when road's route announced this summer." Birmingham Business Journal [1].
- Birmingham Business Journal (September 4, 2003) "Sen. Shelby continues to bring home transportation bacon." Birmingham Business Journal [2].
External links
- Northern Beltline at AARoads.com
- Northern Beltline at the Birmingham MPO
- Map of the Northern Beltline from the Birmingham MPO