US 78 extension to I-65 (Birmingham, Forestdale: sales, hotel, home)

[MJ1986]

I'm hoping someone can provide me some info. I'll be driving through Birmingham on a trip to Florida. I was curious about the US 78 extension to I-65. I'll be coming in on I-20 from the east, and need to get on US 78 westbound. I have a 2010 Rand McNally atlas that shows the extension under construction. Would it be open yet? Thanks for any info!

[marcopolo]

So in May we drove to Florida by way of Memphis, using 78 to connect to I-65 at Birmingham. Then we came back the same way.

We had no trouble, although it was strange. Going there we went one way, coming home we got off at a different exit in Birmingham and drove on a road that was also marked as 78--but it wasn't the one we came in on! A few miles out of Birmingham, we were back on the same road.

Both ways we had no trouble with construction. We used Google Maps and printed out the directions to go to Fla, then tried to read them backwards for the trip home.

Maybe some local can tell you what the deal is; seems like a re-routing and upgrade is going on but it wasn't disruptive in May.

Make sure you have a full tank--some of the area northwest of Birmingham is pretty dang empty. We stayed overnight in Tupelo MS, which has a lot of development, restaurants etc.

(Normally we go through Nashville, but didn't want to be soaking up a hotel room when flood-repair workers and displaced people probably needed the room.)

[jakabedy]

Here is how to get to I-22/Corridor X:

- I-20 west to I-65 North.
- Take Exit 264 (41st Avenue North/Daniel Payne Drive) and turn left at the bottom of the exit ramp.
- You'll pass a big gas station on your right and in about a mile you'll hit a traffic light with Liberty Truck sales on the SW corner. Take a right at that light onto Coalburg Road.
- Travel on the windy 2-lane road and you will come out on the overpass over I-22/Corridor X.

You really can't miss it.

[marcopolo]

Originally Posted by jakabedy

Here is how to get to I-22/Corridor X:

- I-20 west to I-65 North.
- Take Exit 264 (41st Avenue North/Daniel Payne Drive) and turn left at the bottom of the exit ramp.
- You'll pass a big gas station on your right and in about a mile you'll hit a traffic light with Liberty Truck sales on the SW corner. Take a right at that light onto Coalburg Road.
- Travel on the windy 2-lane road and you will come out on the overpass over I-22/Corridor X.

You really can't miss it.

I-22/Corridor X is what we are calling 78, right?

[MJ1986]

Originally Posted by marcopolo

So in May we drove to Florida by way of Memphis, using 78 to connect to I-65 at Birmingham. Then we came back the same way.

We had no trouble, although it was strange. Going there we went one way, coming home we got off at a different exit in Birmingham and drove on a road that was also marked as 78--but it wasn't the one we came in on! A few miles out of Birmingham, we were back on the same road.

Both ways we had no trouble with construction. We used Google Maps and printed out the directions to go to Fla, then tried to read them backwards for the trip home.

Maybe some local can tell you what the deal is; seems like a re-routing and upgrade is going on but it wasn't disruptive in May.

Make sure you have a full tank--some of the area northwest of Birmingham is pretty dang empty. We stayed overnight in Tupelo MS, which has a lot of development, restaurants etc.

(Normally we go through Nashville, but didn't want to be soaking up a hotel room when flood-repair workers and displaced people probably needed the room.)

Thanks marcopolo.

Originally Posted by jakabedy

Here is how to get to I-22/Corridor X:

- I-20 west to I-65 North.
- Take Exit 264 (41st Avenue North/Daniel Payne Drive) and turn left at the bottom of the exit ramp.
- You'll pass a big gas station on your right and in about a mile you'll hit a traffic light with Liberty Truck sales on the SW corner. Take a right at that light onto Coalburg Road.
- Travel on the windy 2-lane road and you will come out on the overpass over I-22/Corridor X.

You really can't miss it.

Thank you, jakabedy... Would you recommend this or going further west to Forestdale Blvd?

[DeMango]

Over on the main Alabama forumn, you have this thread which goes deeper into US78/I-22:

Will Alabama EVER Finish I-22? ( 1 2 3 4)
KevK

Bottom line Coalburg road is the current answer and going any farther on Daniel Payne gets you to Cherry St which will also get you to US 78 but why bother, it is a lot slower with more trafic lights, just a longer detour.

Does anyone have the final date of the last segment opening up and joining I-65??

[cpg35223]

Probably 2012, which coincides with the predicted ending of the world. To be fair, however, that stretch of road has taken forever because it slices through some incredible hilly terrain. Lots of earth moving, bridges, etc. etc. It's not like it's Kansas or something.

[jakabedy]

MJ -

yep. I-22/Corridor X is the limited-access highway that is replacing US 78 and is deemed "78" in many places. It has made it to within a few miles of I-65, and the route I suggested is the closest access point to I-65. It is quick and easy and there is no need to go on to Cherry Ave or Forestdale Blvd. I just mentioned Coalburg Rd. is narrow and windy because it is -- ordinarily one might think one is in the wrong spot. But it is the right spot, as you'll see when you come out of the trees and find yourself on the overpass. Take a left onto the highway and you're on your way to Memphis (or Tupelo, or wherevever you're going).