Interstate 59 (I-59) is a part of the Interstate Highway System that runs 445.23 miles (716.53 km) from Slidell, Louisiana to just outside of Wildwood, Georgia. In the U.S. state of Alabama, I-59 travels 241.36 miles (388.43 km) from the Mississippi state line near Cuba to the Georgia state line northeast of Hammondville. It serves as the main Interstate Highway connecting the cities of Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Gadsden. For more than half of its length in the state, I-59 runs concurrently with I-20. Past the routes' split in eastern Birmingham on their way to Georgia, I-20 takes a shorter path through Birmingham's eastern suburbs and the southern foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, while I-59 follows a longer route through the city's northern suburbs and over the mountains on its way to Gadsden.
Of the four states which I-59 covers, the segment in Alabama is the longest and accounts for more than half of its entire length overall.[4][5] The Interstate parallels the older U.S. Route 11 (US 11) corridor for its full extent within the state. I-59 was first signed into the Interstate Highway System in 1957, and construction began in 1960. The portions of the highway were completed slowly, with the very last segment being opened in 1980. Since then, many projects have been undertaken on I-59 to relieve congestion within the metropolitan areas it passes. The Interstate has three auxiliary routes: I-359 in Tuscaloosa, I-459 within the Birmingham metropolitan area, and I-759 in Gadsden.
Route description
Like all other Interstate, U.S., and state highways in Alabama, I-59 is a part of the National Highway System for its entire length in the state. Annual average daily traffic along the Interstate varied, with the busiest stretch of the Interstate being the concurrency with I-20 at the SR 79 interchange east of Birmingham, carrying a total of 150,954 vehicles in 2023.[6] The lowest amount was 15,342 vehicles in northeastern DeKalb County near the Georgia state line.[6]
Mississippi to Birmingham
I-20 westbound/I-59/US 11/SR 5 southbound heading out of Birmingham
I-20/I-59 enters Sumter County, Alabama from Lauderdale County, Mississippi near the town of Cuba. Immediately upon entering the state, the highway approaches the welcome center for eastbound/northbound travelers and then reaches an interchange for indirect access to US 80. Continuing on through rural forest land, I-20/I-59 crosses the Toomsuba Creek with an interchange shortly after for SR 17 for York at milepost 8. The Interstate travels still in a northeast direction for another 9 miles (14 km) before crossing the Sucarnoochee River and meeting SR 28 for Livingston. It treks on for several more miles through wooded areas, crossing the Tombigbee River and entering Greene County. The highway passes by several marshes for a fair distance and approaches a rest area only accessible northbound, with the southbound rest area immediately following. The Interstate next has an interchange with SR 14 northwest of Eutaw with an interchange for US 11/US 43 also serving the city. I-20/I-59 crosses the Buck Creek before entering Tuscaloosa County. Still within forested terrain, the Interstate meets with SR 300 and stays in a northeast direction while skirting by more marshes before bridging the Black Warrior River. The highway turns almost entirely eastward and approaches the commercial developments of Tuscaloosa. Its first interchange is with SR 69 and I-359 for the University of Alabama at a partial cloverleaf interchange (parclo) and turns completely east to enter the city center. At milepost 73, I-20/I-59 meets US 82 (McFarland Boulevard) for downtown. It then has another interchange with US 11 (Skyland Boulevard) at a single-point urban interchange.[7][8][9][10]
I-20 eastbound/I-59 northbound approaching the I-65 interchange near Birmingham
The surroundings return to wilderness as I-20/I-59 continues eastward and meets US 11 again at a parclo interchange at milepost 79 for Cottondale. Shortly thereafter, the Interstate approaches a rest area accessible in both directions. The Interstate continues through some industrial development with a Daimler Truck North America station to the north of it. Immediately, the highway slants northeast and crosses the Hurricane Creek. It then skirts around the shoreline of Gallant Lake as it intersects US 11/SR 5. This time, however, US 11 and SR 5 begins a concurrency with the Interstate Highways as they slant northeast from a north direction yet again. The highway turns even more northeast to intersect with SR 216 as it enters forested land again and cuts into Jefferson County. From here, I-20/I-59/US 11/SR 5 continues in a northeastward track before meeting the southern terminus of I-459 in Bessemer at a trumpet interchange, with I-459 branching east to serve the southern suburbs of Birmingham. Two miles (3.2 km) later, US 11/SR 5 splits off at Academy Drive to serve downtown Bessemer as I-20/I-59 maintain their northeastward track whilst bypassing Bessemer in the process. The highway turns slightly and then more northward to bridge the Valley Creek as it passes along the west side of Bessemer. Turning back northeast and then entirely east, I-20/I-59 enters the developments of Birmingham and passes some of the city's neighborhoods such as Ensley, Belview Heights, and Central Park. It then turns fully eastward and meets US 78 (Arkadelphia Road) at milepost 123. Reaching milepost 124, I-20/I-59 meets I-65 at a large braided interchange. This stretch is most commonly referred to as "Malfunction Junction".[11] Past this interchange, the road turns southeast for a view of the Birmingham skyline before the road angles northeast for another large interchange with US 31 and the western terminus of US 280 (Elton B. Stephens Expressway) which serves the downtown area and the southern suburbs. After exiting downtown but still heading through urbanized development, I-20/I-59 intersects SR 79 (Tallapoosa Street) and then the highway turns southeast again for an interchange for the Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport. After this interchange, I-59 ends its 130-mile (210 km) concurrency with I-20 at exit 130, which heads southeast for Atlanta.[7][10][12]
Birmingham to Georgia
I-59 northbound at the SR 23 interchange
Having separated from I-20, I-59 stays in a generally northeastward track as it continues through the city's suburban developments. Its next three interchanges are all northbound-only as it has another interchange with US 11 (1st Avenue) and turns east. The Interstate has an indirect connection with SR 75 as it gently ascends a steep incline and enters the Cahaba River watershed whilst passing over US 11 (Gadsden Highway) without directly intersecting it. Next, I-59 turns back to the northeast and meets the northern terminus of I-459 near Trussville as it leaves the developments of Birmingham and enters forested land again. It continues through the forest for 4 miles (6.4 km) and reaches the main exit for Trussville while bypassing Grayson Valley and Chalkville to the southeast. Turning back east again, I-59 bridges the Cahaba River and quickly slants northeast as it has another interchange with indirect access to US 11 and then enters St. Clair County. I-59 passes through more wooded areas before intersecting with SR 174 for Odenville while avoiding Springville to the southeast. It makes another turn to the east for an interchange with SR 23. The direction of the Interstate slants northeast again as it bridges a small stream and passes the shoreline of Pinedale Lake and near Pinedale Shores. The northbound lanes reach a rest area. A brief distance later, I-59 reaches an intersection with US 231 for Ashville as the Interstate bypasses the city to the north. Continuing northeast, the surroundings of the Interstate remain rural and the Interstate next bridges the Dry Creek before entering Etowah County. At milepost 181, I-59 meets SR 77 at a parclo interchange and approximately a mile later, enters the city of Gadsden and intersects the western terminus of I-759 at a tri-stack interchange.[7][12][13][14]
I-59 northbound meeting SR 77 in Gadsden
Shortly thereafter, I-59 crosses the Big Wills Creek as it enters the city of Attalla and some suburban development. It intersects US 278/US 431 (Fifth Avenue) for downtown and makes a turn to the northwest, then the northeast. As the Interstate skirts the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, I-59 briefly parallels SR 211 for approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) before intersecting it at milepost 188. The Interstate stays in a northeast direction, then makes a gentle curve to the northwest again where it continues to travel below the foothills of the mountains and crosses over US 11 indirectly for the second time. The Interstate makes a turn back to the northeast and parallels the Big Wills Creek for 8 miles (13 km). During this time, it enters its final county in the state, DeKalb County. At milepost 205, it has an interchange with SR 68 for Collinsville. Bypassing Collinsville to the west, I-59 keeps its northeast trek and once again parallels the Big Wills Creek. I-59 then approaches the commercial developments of Fort Payne as it reaches its next interchange with SR 35 for the downtown area and Pine Ridge. I-59 avoids Fort Payne to the west and immediately after, parallels Isbell Field to the west then crosses a small stream before meeting with US 11 for the last time. I-59 makes a turn to the north and crosses the Big Wills Creek yet again as it reaches an interchange for indirect access to US 11. It crosses underneath the bridge carrying US 11 and makes another curve to the northeast. The Interstate travels through forested land for a few more miles before entering a small amount of development near the town of Hammondville and intersecting SR 40/SR 117 for the center of town. I-59 heads north and a bit northeast where it makes a very gentle descent along the foothills of the mountains. The final interchange it has is at milepost 239 at Sulphur Springs Road with indirect access to US 11 and the southbound lanes have an exit for the welcome center before I-59 exits Alabama into Dade County, Georgia.[7][13][14][15]
History
Planning and construction
I-59 was originally proposed to run to Nashville and not Chattanooga in the 1955 plan.
The general alignment for the freeway that would eventually become I-59 was included in the National Interregional Highway Committee's report from 1944, titled Interregional Highways, and the subsequent 1947 plan produced by the Public Roads Administration, which was part of the now-defunct Federal Works Agency.[16][17] When I-59 was first established in the 1957 numbering plan designated by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, its proposed route was roughly the same as it travels today, as it would run from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Meridian, Mississippi. As part of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, Alabama was able to have 137.8 miles (221.8 km) of Interstate Highways under construction in the state. I-59 was one of these Interstate Highways planned to be built, with its route instead being planned to run from Nashville to New Orleans.[18] The first section of I-59 became under construction in 1959, which was the segment from Argo to St. Clair Springs. Other projects included grading and drainage from St. Clair Springs to Whitney, a distance of 9.362 miles (15.067 km). As a result, the planned routing of I-59 would run parallel to US 11, and the four-laned section of US 11 in Bessemer would be converted into an interstate-standard freeway, later I-59. While I-59 was planned to go through the center of Birmingham, residents were objected to it. As a result, the city proposed an alternate route for the Interstate Highway to travel north of the Birmingham airport instead of directly through the city which would provide a faster, wider way to Gadsden and points north of it, thus rerouting the Interstate back to Chattanooga.[19]
Two projects for I-59 went into play on November 22, 1960, with both projects being in DeKalb County. The first project involved 10.1 miles (16.3 km) of base and concrete pavement from US 11 near downtown Fort Payne to Rodgers as part of the Birmingham-Chattanooga link. The contractor for this stretch was Southern Roadbuilders Inc. from Augusta, Georgia at an estimated cost of $2.34 million (equivalent to $18.5 million in 2023[20]). The other project, also in DeKalb County, had a length of approximately 6.546 miles (10.535 km) of base and concrete pavement from Rodgers Road to the Georgia state line, with the contractor here being Claussen-Lawrence Construction Co. from Augusta. This stretch had a cost of about $1.6 million (equivalent to $12.6 million in 2023[20]) and was also part of the Birmingham-Chattanooga link.[21] 1961 saw another two bidding projects be performed. In Tuscaloosa County, I-59 required grading and drainage from Boyd Crossing to Union Church, a distance of 4.9 miles (7.9 km) and part of the Birmingham-Meridian link. In Etowah County, grading and drainage structuring were performed from US 11 to the DeKalb county line, a distance of 5.4 miles (8.7 km).[22] Lastly, also in DeKalb County, work also included 0.087 miles (0.140 km) of bridges from the Etowah county line to SR 68, with an estimated cost of $292,698 (equivalent to $2.31 million in 2023[20]), and the contractor for this project was The Scott Company from Opelika.[23]
On May 20 to May 26, 1962, in observance of National Highway Week, the Alabama Department of Transportation, then known as the State Highway Department scheduled an aerial press tour of I-59 from Sulphur Springs to the Georgia state line. Construction of I-59 was moving along at a rather fast pace due to warm spring weather.[24] Construction on I-59 continued in December, where in DeKalb County it totaled up to $7.8 million. According to a report released by governor John M. Patterson and highway director Sam Englehardt, construction along I-59 added up to 75% of DeKalb County's $10.4 million program since January 1959. Approximately 22 miles (35 km) from Fort Payne to the Georgia state line were open to traffic. Foundation and paving costed up to $6 million for completion, with additional $1.8 million from the Etowah county line to Collinsville. The work included one interchange, one creek bridge, as well as first stages of construction on the roadbed for four lanes.[25] By July 6, 1965, a "determined effort" to speed up construction of 2.9 miles (4.7 km) along I-59 in Ensley was scheduled to be put under contract, according to a State Highway Department official. Assistant Division Engineer Randolph Rowe announced that the project, which was estimated to cost over $5 million, would be the largest contract along an Interstate let to date in Jefferson County. With this in the plan, Rowe also said that paving along two sections of I-59 in the Western area was also expected to begin in the same year. A link with an approximate length of 1.6 miles (2.6 km) between Avenue V to Arkadelphia Road, another 1.6-mile (2.6 km) section from Avenue I to Avenue V, and a link with an approximate length of 0.5 miles (0.80 km) with a link of Arkadelphia Road over US 78.[26]
I-59 in 1972, with the Birmingham skyline in the background
On August 19, 1966, the State Highway Department accepted bids on three Birmingham projects, one of which also included a multi-million dollar section of the Interstate in the western portion of the city. This link would run 3.2 miles (5.1 km) from Avenue I to the TCI Highline Railroad west of Fairfield and would connect with another 3.6 miles (5.8 km) under construction as well eastward to Arkadelphia Road. This bid was submitted by M.R. Thomason Contractors and Thomason and Associates of Montgomery at a cost of $6.066 million.[27] By 1967, with over 432 miles (695 km) complete in the state, I-59 was the longest stretch of completed highway in the state, from Leeds to the Georgia state line. This stretch of the Interstate was a length of 94 miles (151 km) and connected Birmingham to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Although I-59 had the fewest miles completed in the state, the state projected to complete the Interstate in 1971. Because most of the route travelled through rural areas in the western part of the state, this presented fewer problems for builders compared to urban areas. In addition, the large interchange with I-65 was slated for completion by at least 1969.[28] On June 7, 1970, a segment of I-59 in Birmingham received grading, draining, paving, and new bridges, while a segment of it in Tuscaloosa between the US 82 bypass and Bessemer also went into effect. Additionally, in Tuscaloosa, another project required repairing slide areas along the Interstate.[29]
Paving contracts for I-59 were let on October 21, 1971. These contracts costed up to $17 million and was the first bidding for highway projects since George Wallace took office as governor. The projects included Greene and Tuscaloosa counties between Knoxville and the Warrior River with a cost of $1.548 million and from the Tombigbee River to Lizzieville for paving, grading, draining, and adding new bridges, with an estimated cost of $7.1 million.[30] On August 7, 1972, a stretch of I-59 reopened to traffic after the pavement in this stretch collapsed in the southbound direction, with a distance of 2 miles (3.2 km) from Collinsville to Reece City. This was due to heavy rains in March washing out the stretch, weakening the road and causing it to do so. Because of this, southbound traffic was temporarily redirected along the northbound lanes. The stretch of I-59 also was cut along the side of a mountain and southbound traffic would have to be wary of a steep drop along the side of the road.[31] The opening of a section of I-59 in Tuscaloosa from US 82 (McFarland Boulevard) to SR 69 commenced on October 19, 1973, with a cost of $4.3 million by George Wallace.[32] On June 28, 1974, a 9-mile (14 km) stretch connecting Tuscaloosa and Fosters opened to traffic. Wallace announced that this stretch of I-59 would give the state as a whole 713 miles (1,147 km) of Interstate Highways.[33] In 1975, bids totaling $24 million were received by the State Highway Department, with $12 million on I-59 in Bessemer.[34] On June 2, 1980, the last four miles (6.4 km) of I-59 were completed and were officially opened to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, allowing drivers to travel 241 miles (388 km) between both ends of the segment of I-59 uninterrupted.[35][36]
Later history
"Malfunction Junction"
Approaching Malfunction Junction on I-20 westbound/I-59 southbound
The interchange of I-20/I-59 and I-65 in Birmingham, commonly referred to residents and travelers as "Malfunction Junction", has seen a continuous push to be reconstructed. This interchange was criticized by many for requiring drivers to shift multiple lanes across the interchange. Also, numerous tight turns and sharp curves resulted in this interchange not meeting Interstate Highway standards. As a result, these problems led to a large increase in lane changing errors, vehicle accidents, massive congestion, and long delays. The interchange was originally designed to carry approximately 80,000 vehicles, but as of 2018, carried up to 160,000, more than double the amount it was intended to hold.[37] Because of this, the interchange started showing signs of deterioration, age, and the constant repairs of bridge rails and decks. Originally, ALDOT proposed several options in order to remedy traffic, such as placing I-20/I-59 on a separate 2.5-mile (4.0 km) corridor to intersect I-65 at a different interchange, but would have required construction of a 16-lane Interstate through the neighborhoods of Birmingham. After several failed proposals, ALDOT finally decided that the last option was to rebuild the interchange altogether. The project is currently going on in two phases. Phase 1 involved bridge and roadway improvements along I-65, Phase 2 included bridge additions and repairs, grading, draining, pavement, striping, and lighting. The project currently is in the second phase.[37]
The junction is also notable for trucks continuously destroying the overpasses to the Interstates. On January 5, 2002, a tanker truck carrying gasoline smashed the bridge to I-65 southbound. A car swerved in front of it to avoid missing its exit, resulting in the truck swerving away to avoid rear-ending the car, hitting the bridge head on. The truck, carrying over 9,900 US gallons (37,000 L) of fuel, exploded in a fireball, which was estimated to reach temperatures of at least 2,000 °F (1,090 °C). This produced a large explosion of fire and heat, resulting in the girders sagging up to 10 feet (3.0 m) on one of their sides. Although only the driver was killed, 140,000 vehicles were cut off from access to the interchange and ALDOT was forced to take action instantly. 37 days later, the bridge was reopened to traffic.[38] In October 2004, another tanker truck also carrying fuel sped through a tight curve and crashed, resulting in a spill of 9,000 US gallons (34,000 L) of fuel, causing it to burn. It was the second accident to occur in less than three years.[39] In December 2004, some ideas rose for trying to reduce accidents at the interchange. One of them included flashing lights on all Interstate ramps, cameras to detect speeders and unstable truckers, and a possible law requiring truckers to secure their loads. In the meantime, warning lights that flash when vehicles drive through ramps going too fast would be eventually placed in approximately two or four months with federal aid.[40] In 2018, I-20/I-59 was closed for 14 months in order to completely reconstruct the interchange with new vertical columns which replaced the old elevated portions that traveled through the city's main district.[41]
Trussville reconstruction
A project designed to reconstruct and expand a 4-mile (6.4 km) segment of I-59 from the I-459 interchange in northern Birmingham to Chalkville Mountain Road in Trussville was announced in 2022. On October 17, 2024, the project was started in order to address issues that occur with the roadway's aging and deterioration. ALDOT announced that the project would help bring I-59 to modern standards and help increase traffic capacity. The project involves completely removing and replacing the existing pavement, with both directions being adjusted to add an extra lane, resulting in the Interstate expanding from four lanes to six. The lanes will measure 12 feet (3.7 m) in width and contain 12-foot (3.7 m) shoulders.[42] The construction is expected to take just under two years, and has an estimated cost of approximately $70 million.[43] The lanes are projected to be completed in 2026, with two lanes available to use during the day, and one during the night.[44]
There are three auxiliary routes for I-59 in the state.
I-359 is a spur of I-59 that leads into downtown Tuscaloosa and to the University of Alabama.[49]I-459 is a loop of I-59 that serves as a bypass around downtown Birmingham and connects to I-59 at Bessemer and Trussville.[50][51]I-759 is a spur route of I-59 connecting Attalla to downtown Gadsden.[52]
^United States Geological Survey (2024). Irondale, AL (Topographic map). 1:24,000. 7.5 Minute Series. Reston, Virginia: United States Geological Survey. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
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