Northern Beltline (I-422) (Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Bessemer: 2014, construction, contractors)

[Justin Scott]

Did ALDOT ever complete the first segment? I remember an article stating estimated completion in 2016, but I haven't read anything else in regards to it.

[MinivanDriver]

Originally Posted by Justin Scott

Did ALDOT ever complete the first segment? I remember an article stating estimated completion in 2016, but I haven't read anything else in regards to it.

Patience Grasshopper. You don't just sprinkle pixie dust about. It's under construction.

[cooldiver]

They completed the first phase of the first section. Second phase starts in two years. I'm sure that there will be much fanfare and publicity when it actually opens, not to mention a feature article on the comebacktown blog.

ALDOT had better get busy if they want to meet the planned 2054 completion date for the entirety of I-422. It's only 37 years away.

From http://betterbeltline.org

The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) has completed the first phase of the Birmingham Northern Beltline, a 52-mile, six lane corridor that will eventually stretch from I-59 in northeast Jefferson County to the I-459 interchange with I-20/59 near Bessemer.

Construction on the first phase, a 1.34 mile highway grade and drain project from SR 79 to SR 75, began in February 2014.

Work on the second phase, which consists of bridging this section, is preliminarily scheduled to begin in 2019. In the meantime, ALDOT will continue to monitor and maintain the work done thus far.

[steveklein]

We laugh at the 37 year timetable... but honestly, unless something pretty big changes in the next decade or two, I seriously doubt it will be operational by 2054.

Also, the tiny section from 75 to 79 is truly a road to nowhere. When it initially opens, it will get pretty close to zero traffic.

[Mississippi Alabama Line]

Originally Posted by cooldiver

They completed the first phase of the first section. Second phase starts in two years. I'm sure that there will be much fanfare and publicity when it actually opens, not to mention a feature article on the comebacktown blog.

ALDOT had better get busy if they want to meet the planned 2054 completion date for the entirety of I-422. It's only 37 years away.

I am in the construction field. The reason these things take so long now is the social and environmental impacts. Both of those sectors are totally out of control. It is simply idiotic what you have to do nowadays. Now, I'm not complaining, because planners, engineers and contractors will get paid for what they do, and it's all substantial. I'm simply saying that the environmental agencies are crazy for requiring the things they do, and the extent with which they want to enforce. I get it, we polluted a lot of stuff back in the day. But now the pendulum has swung so far in the other direction, it's just as disastrous. We simply can't build anything anymore due to the environmental whackos.

As far as the social part of it, let's talk about relocating I-20/59. There is an easy answer to this, but it was shot down because you can't relocated through a poor area of town anymore. The interstate could easily be re-routed from I-22/I-65 interchange to southwest of the airport with a minimal amount of expense, but it would displace some people. So the whackos are screaming out of both sides of their mouths - they want the interstate relocated but they don't want it to relocate any poor people. So, there is literally no other option besides the beltline. The uber tea party freaks hate that idea, though. They usually end up giving a little bit though, the liberal whackos never give at all. That part never gets discussed.

[jdawson1237]

Maybe someone can weigh in on this.. Why do we need a loop up north? Is it just proactive or will it serve a solid purpose currently? I don't see the huge need for it at this point. I don't know how city planning works though. Like, I think I285 was built out of necessity probably. Your mega cities are building massive corridors due to rapid growth.

It seems like it would be nice, but far from necessary. Is that accurate? I can see how it could spur solid future growth in some of those small communities but do you build it now? Or wait until they are a valid player in the Bham metro game?

[steveklein]

We don't really need a loop up north. Basically there are tax dollars that are earmarked for the construction of the beltline and it's either a use it or lose it thing, even if the billions of dollars could be spent far more efficiently on transportation projects that would give residents a far bigger impact than the road to nowhere

If 422 ultimately connects to I-20 east of the city, it could be a useful bypass for Memphis<---->Atlanta traffic. If it ends at I-59, then 422 will probably go down as one of the most expensive roads in history given the traffic it serves.

[MinivanDriver]

Funny you should ask. This came out today. Don't know if the numbers are for real or not.

https://www.bizjournals.com/birmingh...-beltline.html

[Justin Scott]

I still feel like an I-20 to I-22 connnect is all that would really be needed.....add the other leg if Tuscaloosa continues its growth. Heck, ALDOT could have just extended I-22 to I-20. Connect I-59 to I-65 using a segment of I-422 and call it "a day".

[Mississippi Alabama Line]

Originally Posted by Justin Scott

I still feel like an I-20 to I-22 connnect is all that would really be needed.....add the other leg if Tuscaloosa continues its growth. Heck, ALDOT could have just extended I-22 to I-20. Connect I-59 to I-65 using a segment of I-422 and call it "a day".

I was for this idea too. I have no idea how the planning was done for this road but it certainly seems like they just punted and took the cheapest route possible.

My steps:

1) Connect I-22 to I-20/59 between the current I-22/I-65 interchange and the airport/I-20/59 interchange area, near Highway 79.
2) Update and maintain I-20/59 to I-65 and through downtown (underway) out to I-20 and I-59
3) Eventually widen the main corridors.

That's really all that's needed. I get that the Beltline brings money into the state, though.