Huntsville, Madison area " fast growth" do you like it or hate it. (Birmingham: credit, school)

[NoleFanHSV]

Originally Posted by Clark Hobbs

Abysmal is a perfect description of Madison traffic. We almost bought in Walden several years ago and I am glad we changed our mind.

As long as Madison has the great schools, people will deal with the terrible traffic. We scratched subdivision after subdivision off our list in Huntsville, Madison, and in the county because traffic is terrible.

[Maya Blue]

Madison traffic is abysmal? Nonsense. Sure, at some parts of the day it is not ideal. There are several construction projects going on right now that once they are done will help, but it is far from abysmal.

[Clark Hobbs]

Originally Posted by NoleFanHSV

As long as Madison has the great schools, people will deal with the terrible traffic. We scratched subdivision after subdivision off our list in Huntsville, Madison, and in the county because traffic is terrible.

You make a good point. We moved to Cherokee Ridge, a little known community near Arab. Since I work in south Huntsville and the kids are grown, it made sense/cents for us. I have a 22 minute drive during rush hour! It is a seet deal to set cruise a couple miles from work all the way home. Once you get used to that, Madison traffic seems abysmal.

[NoleFanHSV]

Originally Posted by Maya Blue

Madison traffic is abysmal? Nonsense. Sure, at some parts of the day it is not ideal. There are several construction projects going on right now that once they are done will help, but it is far from abysmal.

During rush hour, even before many of the more recent projects have started, the amount of traffic in the morning and evening considering the distance, IMHO, was terrible. If one doesn't have to be at work at 8 or leave at 5, I'm sure traffic isn't as bad. Waiting 6 light cycles at OMP at Jeff/Slaughter is bad. Going from Target in Huntsville to Madison at 5pm takes 35-40 minutes to get to County line road.

[NoleFanHSV]

Originally Posted by Clark Hobbs

You make a good point. We moved to Cherokee Ridge, a little known community near Arab. Since I work in south Huntsville and the kids are grown, it made sense/cents for us. I have a 22 minute drive during rush hour! It is a seet deal to set cruise a couple miles from work all the way home. Once you get used to that, Madison traffic seems abysmal.

If the Madison/Huntsville metro was the size of Nashville, I'd expect the sort of traffic issues we have. But we aren't. The cities and Madison county have been slow to deal with the increase in growth in and around Madison, both in city limits and in the county around Madison city.

[bmrisko]

Originally Posted by NoleFanHSV

If the Madison/Huntsville metro was the size of Nashville, I'd expect the sort of traffic issues we have. But we aren't. The cities and Madison county have been slow to deal with the increase in growth in and around Madison, both in city limits and in the county around Madison city.

How would you mitigate the perceived traffic issue?

[Carolf123]

I have no problem with the potential growth in Huntsville since roads were expanded in anticipation of the expansion. Not in Madison. Too many 2 lane roads for too much traffic.

[dijkstra]

Originally Posted by NoleFanHSV

During rush hour, even before many of the more recent projects have started, the amount of traffic in the morning and evening considering the distance, IMHO, was terrible. If one doesn't have to be at work at 8 or leave at 5, I'm sure traffic isn't as bad. Waiting 6 light cycles at OMP at Jeff/Slaughter is bad. Going from Target in Huntsville to Madison at 5pm takes 35-40 minutes to get to County line road.

Originally Posted by NoleFanHSV

If the Madison/Huntsville metro was the size of Nashville, I'd expect the sort of traffic issues we have. But we aren't. The cities and Madison county have been slow to deal with the increase in growth in and around Madison, both in city limits and in the county around Madison city.

I completely agree with you about Madison City. That mess is a direct result of poor planning and kicking the can down the road. Trying to get through Madison during the typical business rush hours is a complete mess for a town as small as Madison. It is even irritating to drive through Madison at 2:00 in the afternoon most of the time.

On the other hand, I think Huntsville isn't that bad. I can zip all over town during those same times as long as there isn't a wreck slowing traffic.

Compared to Nashville or even worse, Atlanta, Huntsville is in great shape and with the projects planned over the next few years it should stay manageable and will even improve in some areas.

[AuburnAL]

Originally Posted by dijkstra

Remington 2000 jobs, verizon call center 1200 jobs, Toyota engine plant expansions, etc....?
They pursued the Volkswagen plant and were down to the final selection but lost to Chattanooga....

Like I said not engineering jobs. If there are 100 engineers at Toyota and Remington together I would be surprised.

I'm not knocking these jobs, but Huntsville didn't become what it is today by pursuing manufacturing jobs. I just don't think trying to become a bigger version of Decatur or a smaller version of Birmingham is a path that has much of a future.

[Jim Ward]

I like Madison but have to agree traffic is horrible. Unfortunately, infrastructure cannot be an afterthought and it will be difficult to correct. Countyline exit is a great start. For the 72 Madisonites, there is not much hope.