Walkabout Birmingham

Adjacent 26th Street paralleled the freeway north to an entrance ramp for I-59/20 at 5th Avenue N. 10/01/03

The viaduct along 1st Avenue N spans a Norfolk Southern Railroad line through industrial areas east of 26th Street and the Elton B. Stephens Expressway. The elevated roadway extends to 33rd Street. 10/01/03

There is no direct access from 1st Avenue N to the Elton B. Stephens Expressway. Instead motorists are routed north along 26th Street to access U.S. 31/280. 10/01/03

Northbound U.S. 11 lowers from the 1st Avenue N viaduct west to intersect 26th Street. 10/01/03

26th Street linked U.S. 11 with ramps to I-20 and I-59 via an entrance ramp to the Red Mountain Expressway at 5th Avenue N. 10/01/03

Overheads for the southbound exit from U.S. 31-280 for the couplet of U.S. 78 (3rd/4th Avenues S) from U.S. 11 (1st Avenue N). 10/01/03

Viewing the Elton B. Stephens Expressway viaduct north from 1st Avenue N. 10/01/03

Viewing button copy overheads for U.S. 31/280 south from 1st Avenue N. 10/01/03

U.S. 78 shield posted along U.S. 11 (1st Avenue N) south at 25th Street. 10/01/03

U.S. 11 south and U.S. 78 west combine along 1st Avenue N between 24th Street and 14th Street. 10/01/03

The intersection of 24th Street and 1st Avenue N. 24th Street north of U.S. 11 was formerly a part of U.S. 31. Milepost 276 for U.S. 31 stood two blocks north of here at this time. 10/01/03

The first entrance connecting Downtown Birmingham with the Elton B. Stephens Expressway southbound departs from 3rd Avenue North east. 10/01/03

10/01/03

A sign posted at the 3rd Avenue N entrance ramp to U.S. 31/280 south honors Elton Bryson Stephens, a local city advocate and leader. 10/01/03

24th Street south ahead of 3rd Avenue N and the entrance ramp for U.S. 31 south / U.S. 280 west. The ramp is located a half block to the east. 10/01/03

A second set of signs for the 3rd Avenue N on-ramp to U.S. 31/280 posted along 24th Street southbound. 10/01/03

An older shield assembly along 24th Street south at 3rd Avenue N. U.S. 78 ties into 24th Street two blocks to the south. 10/01/03

5th Avenue N eastbound ahead of 25th Street and the Elton B. Stephens Expressway viaduct. A replacement of this assembly added the missing TO banners for I-20 and I-59 and redirected traffic for U.S. 31 to remain east to upcoming 26th Street N. 10/01/03

A tunnel along 5th Avenue N lowers with three lanes beneath 26th Street N, the elevated lanes of the Red Mountain Expressway, and a Norfolk Southern Railroad line. 10/01/03

Looking west at the ascent of 5th Avenue N from the tunnel below 26th Street N. A vacant lot along the north side was eventually redeveloped into a town home community. 10/01/03