Interstate 85 Alabama

[Chris]

I've read something about the extension of I-85 via US 80 to the I-20 near Cuba. Are those just ideas, or real policy? The US 80 is already a nicely build road with mostly 4 lanes and relatively low traffic volumes.

[Alex]

There's no money for it, but yes, they want to build that road. As Froggie has said, there is no need for it, and current U.S. 80 (which is mostly four-laned), carries very light traffic as it is.

[FLRoads]

And even if they were to construct it, it should be an even numbered route, NOT an extension of I-85!!!  I-14 or I-18 come to mind.

[Sykotyk]

There's no money for it, but yes, they want to build that road. As Froggie has said, there is no need for it, and current U.S. 80 (which is mostly four-laned), carries very light traffic as it is.

True. No need for an interstate here. But they are working on the right-of-way near I-20/I-59. A couple of bypasses around some of the towns (including a much needed better bypass of Selma) would make it a decent expressway.

Sykotyk

[leifvanderwall]

To be brutally honest, I think I-85 ought to be extended to Panama City , FL and the old 85 to Montgomery and proposed extension could be an I-18. I must agree US 80 from Cuba to Montgomery works for me.

[bdmoss88]

Don't know if it's okay to open up an old thread but this seems to be where this fits. It looks like there may be some actual work on the Montgomery Outer Loop coming up soon. The section from I-85 to Vaughn Rd. should be fairly easy since it is mostly built except for the interchanges. At the rate things get built in Alabama, if this makes it to US-231 in my lifetime, though, I would be very surprised.
Interesting that when/if the loop connects I-85 to I-65 that it will become I-85 and the current section will become I-685. I wonder what the loop will be signed as until then? Odd numbered I-X85?
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20110301/COMMUNITIES010302/103010307/Outer-Loop-work-start-again?odyssey=obinsite

[froggie]

Interesting that when/if the loop connects I-85 to I-65 that it will become I-85 and the current section will become I-685. I wonder what the loop will be signed as until then? Odd numbered I-X85?

ALDOT has assigned AL 108 as the planning route number for the Outer Loop.  So it's likely that any completed segments would be signed as that route number.

[Buummu]

I also think that Interstate 85 should be extended to Panama City, FL as well... but I do support any extension... because I-85 is turning into a major interstate route.. I still believe Interstate 85 should just end in Richmond (the Interchange between I-95 and I-295) and the I-95 can take the Bypass route....

[Henry]

And even if they were to construct it, it should be an even numbered route, NOT an extension of I-85!!!  I-14 or I-18 come to mind.

You forgot about I-16! The section from Savannah to Macon is already there. All they need to do is take it across the rest of Georgia and tie into current I-85 near Columbus/Phenix City. However, I see no need to upgrade US 80 now, as it's fine as is for Montgomery-Meridian traffic.

I also think that Interstate 85 should be extended to Panama City, FL as well... but I do support any extension... because I-85 is turning into a major interstate route.. I still believe Interstate 85 should just end in Richmond (the Interchange between I-95 and I-295) and the I-95 can take the Bypass route....

Tallahassee, or even Tampa/St. Petersburg, would work better as a new southern terminus for I-85. Remember, though, that any and all suggestions like those should be addressed in the Fictional Highways section.

[Buummu]

Yeah I agree... but I-85 extension to I-20 near Cuba works just good... I would like to see I-85 become even more major route....