Interstate-459 Loop Extension (JeffCo Perimeter)



Start: I-20/59 @ I-459 South – End: Trussville, AL
(western segment not included in Interstate-22 Extension)

Est. Length: 55 miles (I-20/59 to Trussville)

Benefits: Economic Growth, Population Centers, Environmental/Fuel, Existing Highway

Connecting: AL: Birmingham, Hoover, west Jefferson County, Graysville, Center Pointe, Gardendale, Trussville, Moody, North Johns/Adger.

Intersections: I-59/20, North Johns/Adger/Cow Gap, AL; I-22, Graysville/Adamsville (merge), AL; I-65, Gardendale; I-59, Trussville (split).

Description
With the suggested extension of Interstate-22 from Graysville, Alabama north of Birmingham, a western segment extension of I-459 to connect with Interstate-22 from the south to cross I-459 at the intersection with I-20/59 would provide a perimeter bypass for Birmingham, Alabama improving traffic flow through the fast growing southern and eastern metropolitan areas. A northern extension of I-459 is already planned as High Priority Corridor 28. The extension of I-22 from Graysville to Gardendale and Center Point to north of Trussville would provide the largest segment of the northern extension with co-routing/signing with I-459. I-22 would continue its south-southeasterly route to around Harpersville to route along with all or parts of the recently widened U.S. 280. I-59 would then be co-signed with I-459 from the I-22/I-59 intersection south to the I-459 intersection. The new northern segment with I-22, and western segment would form the remainder of the I-459 JeffCo (Jefferson County) Perimeter.

The northern arc around Birmingham would allow a bypass alleviating heavy traffic in the inner city along I-65 and I-59/20 as well as be a less expensive land acquisition method.