A new I-14 (Huntsville, Talladega, Scottsboro: school, subdivisions, fences)

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by MinivanDriver

This would be positively insane.



A better solution would be to simply take US 80 and make it limited access from Montgomery to 20/59 at the Mississippi line. That would actually be a good idea.

Is there much traffic on that road (US 80)? Haven't been in that area in years, but never thought of it as highly traveled especially when 20/59 was completed 40 or so years ago.

Making US 80 limited access should be considered well before making it I-14. A road can be a freeway without being to interstate standards. At least it would be cheaper than an actual interstate. I would think that US 72 would be a much higher priority though.

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by AU HSV

agreed, and why that isn't happening is even more insane. The problem is would it take monies away from projects like I-565, the answer is absolutely. There was a similar idea of doing the same for US-43 from Florence to Mobile

That was at least briefly mentioned as a toll road, if I remember correctly. And I have no issue with toll roads if they solve the problem faster.

[Preston3124]

Originally Posted by RocketDawg

That was at least briefly mentioned as a toll road, if I remember correctly. And I have no issue with toll roads if they solve the problem faster.

I'd pay a hefty toll for a direct road to the beach.

[Reactionary]

I still want a mag lev to the beach...

[RocketDawg]

Now that would be nice. Probably have to move to Japan to get something like that.

I remember some years ago at work (NASA) there was some push to get a maglev demonstration project in Huntsville. It obviously never got off the ground, in any manner.

[NoleFanHSV]

Originally Posted by guinb

As strange as it sounds the solution is to actually stop building so many lanes. It makes commuting attractive at first since the capacity is there on the road and encourages more driving, more sprawl, and eventually puts you right back where you started. Density and public transit are actually the solutions to keep traffic in check. Huntsville would be wise to take heed of this before things get too crowded.

That would make sense but theres this thing called Redstone arsenal which makes it difficult for mass transit.

[MinivanDriver]

Originally Posted by RocketDawg

Is there much traffic on that road (US 80)? Haven't been in that area in years, but never thought of it as highly traveled especially when 20/59 was completed 40 or so years ago.

Making US 80 limited access should be considered well before making it I-14. A road can be a freeway without being to interstate standards. At least it would be cheaper than an actual interstate. I would think that US 72 would be a much higher priority though.

Well, it would take what is currently a 2.5-hour drive and make it a 1.5-hour drive. Could mean the difference for truck traffic.

[Carolina Knight]

Originally Posted by AU HSV

well that was the plan years ago, there was even a large amount of funding and environmental studies done. After I-22 was completed that Memphis Huntsville Atlanta project pretty much died. It would not take much at all to upgrade 72 to I-24 since much of it is already close to interstate standards. Just need a few more overpasses and controlled access and of course the much delayed portion in east Huntsville/Madison County. Right now the huge problem is I-24/I-59 sections in Tennessee and Georgia.
It's awful.

What is wrong with Interstate 24 and Interstate 59 in Georgia and Tennessee?

[Carolina Knight]

Originally Posted by RocketDawg

Is there much traffic on that road (US 80)? Haven't been in that area in years, but never thought of it as highly traveled especially when 20/59 was completed 40 or so years ago.

Making US 80 limited access should be considered well before making it I-14. A road can be a freeway without being to interstate standards. At least it would be cheaper than an actual interstate. I would think that US 72 would be a much higher priority though.

A road can be a freeway not up to Interstate Highway standards. It would be cost effective to build a road up to Interstate Highway standards, then apply for Interstate Highway designation later.

[Carolina Knight]

Originally Posted by NoleFanHSV

That would make sense but theres this thing called Redstone arsenal which makes it difficult for mass transit.

Redstone Arsenal will kill any plan for any bypass southwest of Huntsville for security reasons.