Interstate 22

[rcm195]

May be after we are all dead and gone.

[lordsutch]

So...what's the over/under of TDOT recognizing the new designation, and putting up some "TO I-22" signs to indicate the use of US 78/Lamar Ave to get there?

I'd rate it as exceedingly unlikely, although they do have TO signs for I-155 and I-40 on US 412 so it wouldn't be completely unprecedented.

Alternatively they might sign 385 to 269 as the preferred route (when the latter is open) to try to get some through traffic off Lamar.

[DeaconG]

May be after we are all dead and gone.

Oh, not quite that long I think...after all, no one expected I-22 to connect to I-65 before the Second Coming!

Give it about 2 to 4 years, with the widening of Coalburg Road it's only a matter of time before someone puts businesses there.  I wouldn't be surprised if the lots weren't already bought and zoned.

[rcm195]

Oh I understand. Yeah, I would say within five years. There is only one corner, the northwest, that couldn't be developed.

[codyg1985]

So...what's the over/under of TDOT recognizing the new designation, and putting up some "TO I-22" signs to indicate the use of US 78/Lamar Ave to get there?

I'd rate it as exceedingly unlikely, although they do have TO signs for I-155 and I-40 on US 412 so it wouldn't be completely unprecedented.

Alternatively they might sign 385 to 269 as the preferred route (when the latter is open) to try to get some through traffic off Lamar.

The I-22/269 interchange with some of the ramps missing may hinder that a bit.

[lordsutch]

It's supposed to be a full interchange, and I can't see FHWA signing off on an incomplete one. All I can figure is that they put off the grading for the final two ramps until the paving contract for some reason.

[codyg1985]

The plan index for the paving between MS 305 and east of Macon Road indicates a full interchange between I-22 and I-269. I was trying to see if there were any sheets that pertained to grade and drain of the missing ramps, but I didn't see any.

[msunat97]

Has the countdown begun to the opening of the I-65 interchange?  Feels like we need a large clock & a parade.

[Alex]

Has the countdown begun to the opening of the I-65 interchange?  Feels like we need a large clock & a parade.

H/t to codyg1985 for the article Corridor X opening Monday to drivers, yes, you can count down to 10 am on Monday morning, when the ribbon cutting takes place. 

[MazdaStrider]

If anyone plans on driving this stretch of new I-22, please share photos or videos! I am sure some of us are interested in what it looks like.

[CobaltYoshi27]

If anyone plans on driving this stretch of new I-22, please share photos or videos! I am sure some of us are interested in what it looks like.

I'm definitely interested! I'm probably never going to drive down I-22, since I live so far away, so it would be nice to see how the road turned out.

[barcncpt44]

Al.com has posted pictures of the completed interchange.
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2016/06/sneak_peek_completed_i-22_inte.html#incart_river_home

It looks like the I-22 connection to US 31 is going to be built later.  Anyways, I plan on filming this new interchange around the 4th of July holiday weekend.  Long term I expect to see a lot of new development from the interchange all the way up to Jasper.  People living in Shelby County are getting tired of the huge traffic jams and narrow roads. 

[Great Lakes Roads]

If anyone plans on driving this stretch of new I-22, please share photos or videos! I am sure some of us are interested in what it looks like.

Funny thing is that I am going to take a drive on this when I am heading towards Atlanta.  I will definitely take a video of it via my dash cam!!

[BamaZeus]

Looking at those pics, I don't think I've ever seen a 60mph advisory sign on an off-ramp before.  I know part of it is because of construction, but I think the speed limit isn't even 60 in that area of Birmingham.

[Anthony_JK]

The plan index for the paving between MS 305 and east of Macon Road indicates a full interchange between I-22 and I-269. I was trying to see if there were any sheets that pertained to grade and drain of the missing ramps, but I didn't see any.

So sorry, but even with C/D roadways, that cloverleaf interchange still looks insufficient. Give us at least some directional ramps for the loops in the future, MSDOT.

[lordsutch]

Looking at those pics, I don't think I've ever seen a 60mph advisory sign on an off-ramp before.  I know part of it is because of construction, but I think the speed limit isn't even 60 in that area of Birmingham.

I believe the normal signed speed limit on I-65 is 60 mph from I-20/59 north through the US 31 interchange at least; I don't remember where it went/goes up to 70 off-hand.

So sorry, but even with C/D roadways, that cloverleaf interchange still looks insufficient. Give us at least some directional ramps for the loops in the future, MSDOT.

Considering a lot of the truck traffic will be staying on US 78 past I-269, I'd imagine the loop ramps will be adequate for the foreseeable future. (There are no flyovers at I-40 or I-55 either.)

[TrevorB]

So...what's the over/under of TDOT recognizing the new designation, and putting up some "TO I-22" signs to indicate the use of US 78/Lamar Ave to get there?

From TDOT:
"Great question! We have a project in the works to widen SR 78 (Lamar Ave) in this area. Placing signs that say "To I-22" in Tennessee is something that will be evaluated and addressed during the construction of that project."


iPhone

[rcm195]

Just a good repaving job would be helpful on Lamar Ave. Have any of you seen the potholes?? Some look like craters!

[The Ghostbuster]

SR 78? Does that mean US 78 will be truncated? Or was it just a typo?

[sparker]

Probably just a typo, since US 78/Lamar Ave. is also TN SR4 -- and has been since day one!

[freebrickproductions]

Not sure if this was mentioned, but there's a plethora of neutered I-22 shields around the end of I-22 in Birmingham, AL.

[TrevorB]

Probably just a typo, since US 78/Lamar Ave. is also TN SR4 -- and has been since day one!

Although it would make some sense if eventually MS removes US 78 from I-22 and moves it to present day 178 (parallel to I-22). That would force Tennessee to change it to a State Route.

[sparker]

Not necessarily, as SR 4 is simply an internal number; Lamar Ave. has always been posted as US 78, with the original alignment diverging from the present divided highway about a half-mile NW of the TN/MS state line.  If MS were indeed to shift US 78 to present MS 178 (the old road), it's likely -- if TN were to participate in such a shift -- that US 78 would simply utilize the original alignment NW from the state line to the present junction of Lamar and the extension of the present US 78 freeway in MS.  In all likelihood, either the relocated US 78 or the divided freeway access in TN would retain the SR 4 designation, with the other becoming a "spur 4".  But this sort of conjecture is a bit moot, as the future designation of the US 78 freeway west of the I-22/269 junction has yet to be determined.  My guess is that MS, even if they move the majority of US 78 onto MS 178, would probably shift it back onto I-22 somewhere east of I-269 in order to retain the US 78 posting, as a locally familiar number, on the remaining portion of freeway to the TN state line.

[sglaughlin]

Haven't heard any updates on the opening.  As of today at about 1pm, the tarps were still up on I-65 NB for I-22.  Some vehicles visible working on the segment of I-22 visible from I-65.  Coming SB on I-65 about 5:30, the tarps were still up on the sign just south of Walker Chapel Rd, the next one south was partially off (may have been wind from Friday), and the two tarps around the interchange were gone completely.  Still some vehicles on the end of I-22.  Barricades were still all there.  Will probably travel that way at lunch tomorrow (opening day) and see what's up.

[jdb1234]

I will be out that way tomorrow to check it out as well.