Alabama

[ElishaGOtis]

I would argue that Alabama's top priority should be I-10 on the Bayway and across the Mobile River.  Second should be HO/T lanes on I-65 thru Birmingham.

The third priority, which IMO has been completely lacking in Alabama, is access management on ALL of the state's 4-lane arterials.  The lack of access management, including and especially allowing private access points, is the primary reason why many of the arterials have horrid operations, including the aforementioned 72 between Huntsville and Athens*, 280 out of Birmingham, 210 around Dothan, and countless others.


* - While I agree with Charles in principle on the idea of 6-laning 72 between Huntsville and Athens, I am of the viewpoint that it would be useless without access consolidation and frontage (or backage) road construction.

Access control is certainly lacking in Alabama and in most southern states in general. Ideally one would follow the example of MS 25 heading north out of Jackson, with wide ROW, full shoulders, and no private access. US 72 unfortunately doesn't quite have the setback required to successfully build out a road of this size.

But as you mentioned, the problem is statewide. I drive US 431 through Albertville and Boaz once a year, and there are way too many access points. There are multiple instances of signalized intersections being less than 500' from one another, parking lots flush with the shoulder (not separated by grass), and driveways out the wazoo. North of Guntersville there's even a section of "Arkansas Freeway" with portions of curb and gutter while maintaining a 65 mph limit.  South of Boaz its also 65 mph albeit divided (I do have a problem with the length of the yellow lights being too short at AL-77 but that's an argument for another time).

If Alabama wants to maintain a good 4 lane network it needs the following:

• More access control (particularly on private drives but also increasing the distance between intersections)
• Not dumping 65 mph highways into 35-45 mph city streets (happens on US-431 in Guntersville, Attalla, Huntsville)
• More bypasses like US-82 around Gordo, Brent, US-431 around Anniston to separate local traffic

Do I understand correctly that ALDOT could theoretically post 65 or higher on any roadway regardless of type? I'm reading the state statutes and it seems to be far more lenient than I've seen for most other states.

SECTION 32-5A-171

(3) No person shall operate a motor vehicle on the highways in this state, other than interstate highways or highways having four or more traffic lanes, at a speed in excess of 55 miles per hour at any time unless a different maximum rate of speed is authorized by the Governor under authority granted in subdivision (6) or as provided in subdivision (7).

(4) No person shall operate a motor vehicle, on an interstate highway within the State of Alabama, at a speed in excess of 70 miles per hour or on any other highway having four or more traffic lanes at a speed in excess of 65 miles per hour, unless a different maximum rate of speed is authorized by the Governor under authority granted in subdivision (6) or as provided in subdivision (7).

...

(6) The Governor may prescribe the maximum rate of speed whenever a different rate of speed is required by federal law in order for Alabama to receive federal funds for highway maintenance and construction.

(7) The maximum speed limits set forth in this section may be altered as authorized in Sections 32-5A-172 and 32-5A-173.

SECTION 32-5A-172

Whenever the Director of Public Safety and the Director of Transportation, with the approval of the Governor, shall determine upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that any maximum speed hereinbefore set forth is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist at any intersection or other place or upon any part of the state highway system, the directors may determine and declare a reasonable and safe maximum limit thereat, which shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected. Such a maximum speed limit may be declared to be effective at all times or at such times as are indicated upon the signs; and differing limits may be established for different times of day, different types of vehicles, varying weather conditions, and other factors bearing on safe speeds, which shall be effective when posted upon appropriate fixed or variable signs.

SECTION 32-5A-173

(a) Except as provided in subsection (f), whenever local authorities in their respective jurisdictions determine on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that the maximum speed permitted under this article is unreasonable under the conditions found to exist upon a highway or part of a highway, the local authority may set a reasonable maximum limit that does any of the following:

(1) Decreases the limit at intersections.

(2) Increases the limit within an urban district consistent with Section 32-5A-171.

(3) Decreases the limit on any street, unpaved road, or highway under the jurisdiction and control of any county commission.

(4) Increases the limit on any street, unpaved road, or highway under the jurisdiction and control of any county commission consistent with Section 32-5A-171.

(b) Local authorities in their respective jurisdictions shall determine by an engineering and traffic investigation the proper maximum speed for all arterial streets and shall declare a reasonable maximum limit thereon.

(c) Any altered limit established according to this section may be effective at all times, or during hours of darkness, or at other times as may be determined when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected upon the street or highway.

(d) Any alteration of maximum limits on state highways or extensions thereof in a municipality by local authorities shall not be effective until the alteration has been approved by the Department of Transportation.

(e)(1) Not more than six alterations authorized pursuant to this section shall be made per mile along a street or highway, except in the case of reduced limits at intersections.

(2) The difference between adjacent limits shall not be more than 10 miles per hour.

(f) A municipality may not fix the speed at which motor vehicles may be operated on a county-maintained street, as defined in Section 11-49-80, located within the corporate limits of the municipality unless the municipality conducts an engineering and traffic investigation and receives written approval from the county engineer to fix the speed based on the results of that investigation.

Granted, does that mean they will? No, I find that highly unlikely. Quite frankly, I can't think of any examples of where a speed limit exceeds the default in AL (are there any?).

Please correct me if I'm missing something.

[RoadPelican]

As someone who lives in a Southern State with New England like Speed Limits "cough, cough" North Carolina!

I do like the fact that most of the 4 lane Dual Highways are 65 MPH in Alabama.

The max in NC is 60 MPH and those are very rare, about 80% of the dual highways in NC are just 55.

However, there is a stretch of US 280 in the Phenix City area with a 65 MPH Speed Limit that probably should have better access management (less driveways).

Also, US 84 just east of Dothan is 65 MPH and I remember driving thru about 10 years ago and their was a busy at-grade intersection (no traffic light) where traffic could just drive straight across the median.

[ElishaGOtis]

As someone who lives in a Southern State with New England like Speed Limits "cough, cough" North Carolina!

I do like the fact that most of the 4 lane Dual Highways are 65 MPH in Alabama.

The max in NC is 60 MPH and those are very rare, about 80% of the dual highways in NC are just 55.

However, there is a stretch of US 280 in the Phenix City area with a 65 MPH Speed Limit that probably should have better access management (less driveways).

Also, US 84 just east of Dothan is 65 MPH and I remember driving thru about 10 years ago and their was a busy at-grade intersection (no traffic light) where traffic could just drive straight across the median.

We have gotten to a point where a state actually having up-to-date "default"/"unless otherwise posted" speed limits seems like an impossible task lol 

On a similar note, AL-55 just north of River Falls is 4-5 lane undivided for about 20-ish miles posted at 65mph, though the pure 4-lane sections have about a 5' painted legal median. It's a super useful shortcut to parts of the panhandle of Florida from I-65; I just wish the route between Andalusia and I-10 was just as fast (the last gap of only 2-lane roads)...

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Qn9HW1wkkB6LLF6j6?g_st=ic

Kinda reminds me of an old turnpike, just without the tolls and limited access 

Should also point out the new free-flow-ish junction with the ICB where the US-84 concurrency begins https://maps.app.goo.gl/DQyXAcchtwrKgadQ7?g_st=ic

[codyg1985]

* - While I agree with Charles in principle on the idea of 6-laning 72 between Huntsville and Athens, I am of the viewpoint that it would be useless without access consolidation and frontage (or backage) road construction.

Agree. I wished US 72 west of Providence Main Street would be widened similar to Memorial Pkwy, but the latest plans I saw included some improvements similar to what was done along US 280 in Jefferson and Shelby Counties in addition to widening it to six lanes. It will be done in three phases and will be done in the early to mid 2030s to get it to the Limestone County line.

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://www.wbrc.com/2024/11/22/state-senator-gathers-support-west-alabama-toll-bridge-purchase-proposal/

The state of Alabama could buy another toll bridge in the state, with this one being located in the western part of Tuscaloosa near Northport.

[freebrickproductions]

How many toll bridges would that leave in the state?

[jdb1234]

How many toll bridges would that leave in the state?

Just two, both of which are in Montgomery.

[RoadMaster09]

https://www.wbrc.com/2024/11/22/state-senator-gathers-support-west-alabama-toll-bridge-purchase-proposal/

The state of Alabama could buy another toll bridge in the state, with this one being located in the western part of Tuscaloosa near Northport.

It makes me think they should upgrade it to provide a bypass route for US 82. The Black Warrior Loop route likely will never happen (much too developed today) and the existing 82 is quite slow in many sections.

[jdb1234]

Looks like the I-20 Welcome Center crossing from Georgia is going to close for reconstruction.

https://www.al.com/news/2024/12/alabama-welcome-center-on-i-20-at-georgia-border-next-in-line-for-upgrade.html

When I went to Florida back in October, the I-65 Southbound rest area near Greenville was being rebuilt.  I know there are plans to do the same with the Northbound side as well.

[Voyager75]

Looks like the I-20 Welcome Center crossing from Georgia is going to close for reconstruction.

https://www.al.com/news/2024/12/alabama-welcome-center-on-i-20-at-georgia-border-next-in-line-for-upgrade.html

When I went to Florida back in October, the I-65 Southbound rest area near Greenville was being rebuilt.  I know there are plans to do the same with the Northbound side as well.

So glad they are. Those in were easily the worst in the state. Small and always filthy. Went by there yesterday on the way to Birmingham from Mobile and they just started the framing on the southbound one. Northbound is still open but I assume it closes once the other is finished.

We stopped going to any of them on I-65 anyway since Conecuh Sausage in Evergreen opened their new full blown store. Clean modern restrooms and all the Conecuh Dogs you can eat. Stock up on 5 lb. bacon and Cajun sausage for a good price. It's a mandatory stop now one way or the other depending on the time.

New signage going up along I-459 from Hoover to the western terminus. Clearview unfortunately and they added the names of the roads at Exit 1 (Eastern Valley Rd) and 6 (Morgan Rd.) along with the local towns. They also decided to add "Morgan Road" again on a Next Exit secondary sign along with the Bessemer Airport. Weird.

 No progress on the I-20/59 Exit 104 reconstruction as of yet. New giant double lane traffic circle on Tuscaloosa Highway and Lowetown Road in McCalla at the new Smuckers facility. It looks completely out of place along a still two lane rural road. Even freeway style overhead signage has been installed with a new Cross Drive going into the Industrial park and a PB&J Way(yes) into Smuckers. Could be a issue for someone who has no idea how traffic circles work since there was no indication how to continue along Tuscaloosa Hwy. With this new configuration I do believe they are planning a new Exit 102 at Lowetown Road in the distant future. My dad has been told it's coming for sure but I haven't found any evidence on the ALDOT site.

[ElishaGOtis]

Looks like the I-20 Welcome Center crossing from Georgia is going to close for reconstruction.

https://www.al.com/news/2024/12/alabama-welcome-center-on-i-20-at-georgia-border-next-in-line-for-upgrade.html

When I went to Florida back in October, the I-65 Southbound rest area near Greenville was being rebuilt.  I know there are plans to do the same with the Northbound side as well.

And for some reason they drop the speed limit to 55 just for that "work zone."

(Ok yes I know the actual reason involves the MOT clear-zone standards but still... at least it's not 45 like on the I-85 bridge projects)

We stopped going to any of them on I-65 anyway since Conecuh Sausage in Evergreen opened their new full blown store. Clean modern restrooms and all the Conecuh Dogs you can eat. Stock up on 5 lb. bacon and Cajun sausage for a good price. It's a mandatory stop now one way or the other depending on the time.

Interesting, I'll need to check this place out. Thanks for the tip! 

No progress on the I-20/59 Exit 104 reconstruction as of yet. New giant double lane traffic circle on Tuscaloosa Highway and Lowetown Road in McCalla at the new Smuckers facility. It looks completely out of place along a still two lane rural road. Even freeway style overhead signage has been installed with a new Cross Drive going into the Industrial park and a PB&J Way(yes) into Smuckers. Could be an issue for someone who has no idea how traffic circles work since there was no indication how to continue along Tuscaloosa Hwy. With this new configuration I do believe they are planning a new Exit 102 at Lowetown Road in the distant future. My dad has been told it's coming for sure but I haven't found any evidence on the ALDOT site.

Maybe the BGS's and traffic circle is for delivery truck traffic?

[froggie]

No progress on the I-20/59 Exit 104 reconstruction as of yet. New giant double lane traffic circle on Tuscaloosa Highway and Lowetown Road in McCalla at the new Smuckers facility. It looks completely out of place along a still two lane rural road. Even freeway style overhead signage has been installed with a new Cross Drive going into the Industrial park and a PB&J Way(yes) into Smuckers. Could be a issue for someone who has no idea how traffic circles work since there was no indication how to continue along Tuscaloosa Hwy. With this new configuration I do believe they are planning a new Exit 102 at Lowetown Road in the distant future. My dad has been told it's coming for sure but I haven't found any evidence on the ALDOT site.

Didn't find anything about an "Exit 102" either, but did find this county webpage that mentions the roundabout is part of a larger project to widen Old Tuscaloosa Highway to 5 lanes between McAshan and the county line, which if true puts it close to Exit 100.  The county page cites access to both Smuckers and the Norfolk Southern terminal for the project.

[Voyager75]

No progress on the I-20/59 Exit 104 reconstruction as of yet. New giant double lane traffic circle on Tuscaloosa Highway and Lowetown Road in McCalla at the new Smuckers facility. It looks completely out of place along a still two lane rural road. Even freeway style overhead signage has been installed with a new Cross Drive going into the Industrial park and a PB&J Way(yes) into Smuckers. Could be a issue for someone who has no idea how traffic circles work since there was no indication how to continue along Tuscaloosa Hwy. With this new configuration I do believe they are planning a new Exit 102 at Lowetown Road in the distant future. My dad has been told it's coming for sure but I haven't found any evidence on the ALDOT site.

Didn't find anything about an "Exit 102" either, but did find this county webpage that mentions the roundabout is part of a larger project to widen Old Tuscaloosa Highway to 5 lanes between McAshan and the county line, which if true puts it close to Exit 100.  The county page cites access to both Smuckers and the Norfolk Southern terminal for the project.

Yeah that and the Lakeshore Extension are obviously behind schedule. No sign of work at 150/Lakeshore either.

It's still two lanes with zero work being done along Tuscaloosa Hwy/CR-20 from McAshen to Exit 100. The only improvements are at the roundabout where it is 5 lanes for about a quarter to a half mile and only on the east side of it. They shifted the road slightly to the north of the old alignment there.

[formulanone]

We stopped going to any of them on I-65 anyway since Conecuh Sausage in Evergreen opened their new full blown store. Clean modern restrooms and all the Conecuh Dogs you can eat. Stock up on 5 lb. bacon and Cajun sausage for a good price. It's a mandatory stop now one way or the other depending on the time.

Interesting, I'll need to check this place out. Thanks for the tip! 

I'll second this recommendation! I've stopped a few times here for lunch on the way to Mobile/Gulf.

It's self-serve, but also under $10 unless you've got quite the appetite.