Interstate 759 - Gadsden Spur

Interstate 759

Known as the Joe Ford Freeway, Interstate 759 comprises a 4.71 mile spur from I-59 to Gadsden in northeastern Alabama. The four-lane freeway serves southern reaches of Gadsden with interchanges at Black Creek Parkway and U.S. 411. Interstate 759 opened to traffic in conjunction with its state spur, Alabama 759, on October 22, 1986. Work began in 1982 on the $41 million project.1

A second bridge over the Coosa River for Alabama 759 opened in Summer 2004. Stub ramps at the west end of I-759 alluded to a cancelled extension to U.S. 278 & 431 west of Gadsden. Plans also originating in 1988 at the east end outlined extending the freeway to U.S. 431 (Meighan Boulevard) southeast of Gadsden.

A plan dating to at least 2009 called for extending Alabama 759 to U.S. 278/431 as a controlled access arterial. This route includes a grade separation with a Norfolk Southern Railroad line. By 2018, the Alabama Department of Transportation spent $250,000 on surveying work for the project, but right of way acquisition had yet moved forward.2

References:

  1. "I-759 opens Wednesday." Gadsden Times, October 20, 1986.
  2. "Gadsden City Council focuses on Black Creek Parkway extension." The Gadsden Times, July 5, 2011.
  3. "Mayors cut ribbon on Black Creek Parkway extension." FOX6 WBRC, July 26, 2011.
  4. "Ford: I-759 extension still happening." The Gadsden Times (AL), March 6, 2018.

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Page Updated Tuesday January 08, 2019.