Any word on Memphis-Huntsville-Atlanta interstate?

[tikimann]

Originally Posted by Nickodemis

I would be happy if they could build an interstate from Huntsville to I-75 just north of Atlanta.

I can only imagine the traffic problems of dumping more traffic into I-75 just north of Atlanta. Ouch. Not sure that is a great solution

[Nickodemis]

I don't think it would affect Atlanta traffic to much. Every other major city already connects directly with Atlanta with a shorter route. Its mainly Huntsville and north Alabama that have no direct route. Besides, traffic on I-75 is really only an issue during the morning rush hour, the rest of the time it easily handle the volume.

Maybe they can just build a 4 lane highway to Atlanta. This would easily relive some of the traffic flow on US72 and Chattanooga.

[financelife]

Originally Posted by Nickodemis

I don't think it would affect Atlanta traffic to much. Every other major city already connects directly with Atlanta with a shorter route. Its mainly Huntsville and north Alabama that have no direct route. Besides, traffic on I-75 is really only an issue during the morning rush hour, the rest of the time it easily handle the volume.

Maybe they can just build a 4 lane highway to Atlanta. This would easily relive some of the traffic flow on US72 and Chattanooga.

Who? What major cities besides Birmingham and Montgomery? All this sounds like is a bunch of hopeful Huntsvillians wanting a quick way to ATL. Actually, PLEASE build a direct route from Huntsville to ATL because interstate travelers clog up Chattanooga roads like crazy. That or widen/update the roads from Huntsville to Chatt.

But seriously, the mountain range in East AL and West GA is probably the main problem. If you don't believe me, then drive through Henegar and Mentone.

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by financelife

Who? What major cities besides Birmingham and Montgomery? All this sounds like is a bunch of hopeful Huntsvillians wanting a quick way to ATL. Actually, PLEASE build a direct route from Huntsville to ATL because interstate travelers clog up Chattanooga roads like crazy. That or widen/update the roads from Huntsville to Chatt.

But seriously, the mountain range in East AL and West GA is probably the main problem. If you don't believe me, then drive through Henegar and Mentone.

There is a need for an east west expressway through north Alabama... every other region in the state has an expressway that at least partially traverses from west to east.... Theres no easy way to get anywhere in the cities of North Alabama try taking 431 it takes forever to get anywhere and US 72 goes more north than east and south... and every other main city in the state does have a sensible route to Atlanta (Mobile, Montgomery, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa). Its only Huntsville that you have to go way out of the way to get to Atlanta. Matter of fact no expressway at all goes through Huntsville, anyway by 2025, 40% of the United States population will live in the south there will be a need to upgrade the infrastructure system. And its not just a bunch of hopeful Huntsvillians, this route has been listed for years by the state and federal highway people, there just hasnt been any money allocated to it. They have talked about building a north-west expressway through west Alabama which IMO is dumb because hardly anybody lives over there and the state isn't that wide its much longer than its width is.

[Nickodemis]

The main problem is that there is only one way in and out of Huntsville which is I565. Lets face it, Chattanooga can't handle any more traffic. The city is already a bottle neck for those traveling from the midwest (Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, Michigan,etc) and those traveling from the mid-northeast (Pittsburgh, Buffalo, etc). The population of north Alabama is going start growing quickly and there needs to be a quicker route to Atlanta and on to Florida.

Just think about, what if you could drive down to Atlanta for a Braves game, a concert, a football game, etc within 2 hours. Its only 140 miles straight from Huntsville to Atlanta.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by Nickodemis

Just think about, what if you could drive down to Atlanta for a Braves game, a concert, a football game, etc within 2 hours. Its only 140 miles straight from Huntsville to Atlanta.

This is EXACTLY why Huntsvillians ought to be careful what they wish for. It's only about two hours as a STRAIGHT SHOT now from my area to New York City, and the growth in counties adjacent to my own has been explosive. Pike and Monroe Counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania are now the two most rapidly-growing counties out of the 67 in Pennsylvania, and that growth is expected to continue as they transition from being honeymooning areas to year-round suburbs of NYC. A new commmuter rail line will be established in the coming years linking Scranton to New York City, and growth here in Northeastern Pennsylvania is only expected to continue to skyrocket as a result. If you folks want access to Atlanta to be "quick 'n easy," then be prepared for all of the growth that will accompany it in terms of Huntsville ===> Atlanta commuter traffic. Be VERY certain that you want Huntsville to become a satellite city of Atlanta before making any decisions to make commuting easier.

[FCEddie]

Give me the highway to Atlanta. Give it to me now.

Huntsville is going to continue to grow and we'll need the ability to spread to the Southeast.

[Sarges Dad]

I have been waiting for 53 to 4 lane from Huntsville to ardmore since 1980. They moved to utility poles over in 1980 to do this. Maybe before I die they will finish. They just now started inching their way North.

[autobahn]

Originally Posted by Nickodemis

Are there plans to extend Research Parkway south or north? I heard something about extending it to South Huntsville and US 231.

I think it is to be called the Patriot Pkwy and will be a toll road from the main gate of the Arsenal down to South Huntsville. I believe it is also supposed to be elevated for security reasons.