Interstate 359
| ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Location | ||||
Country | United States | |||
State | Alabama | |||
Counties | Tuscaloosa | |||
Highway system | ||||
| ||||
|
Interstate 359 (I-359) is a part of the Interstate Highway System in the US state of Alabama. It is a spur route that runs for 2.76 miles (4.44 km) entirely within the city limits of Tuscaloosa. Its terminuses are just south of I-20/I-59 interchange on the south side of town and U.S. Route 43 (US 43) in downtown Tuscaloosa. The entire length is concurrent with US 11 and State Route 69 (SR 69), with both continuing as at grade thoroughfares north and south of the shorter Interstate.
Route description
I-359 begins just south of the I-20/I-59 interchange at the western terminus of US 11 (SR 7, Skyland Boulevard) and SR 69.
From its crossing of the
History
In the early 1960s, local planners and elected officials stated the need for direct access to I-59 from the city of Tuscaloosa.[9] As annexation had not yet brought the city limits to the I-59 corridor, I-359 was originally to be the only access provided to I-59 directly from Tuscaloosa. The route, as originally envisioned, was to have no exits for the duration of its route between its southern terminus at I-59 and its northern terminus at 15th Street in downtown Tuscaloosa.[9]
Actual planning for I-359 commenced in 1961,[2] and, by 1971, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) announced that federal funding would be sought for its construction.[10] Planning for the corridor continued throughout the 1970s, only to stall briefly due to complications with the required environmental impact assessment associated with the project.[11] By 1976, it was announced I-359 would have an exit both at 35th Street (now Cousette Street) and 15th Street to improve access to both the University of Alabama and Stillman College.[11]
In 1977, ALDOT publicly unveiled the final routing of the route and presented it at a series of public meetings in August 1977.[12] The selected route resulted in the slight relocation of 35th Street, the construction of a bridge along 31st Street over the freeway, and the construction of a continuous viaduct along the final leg of the freeway through its 15th Street junction.[12] Plans were also unveiled to add an additional travel lane in each direction along I-20/I-59 between its junction with I-359 and McFarland Boulevard.[12]
Following the acquisition of the necessary
Future
In 2024, ALDOT will began work to convert the US 11 (Skyland Boulevard)/SR 69 intersection into a single-point urban interchange (SPUI) in order to improve traffic flow. The project, which is a joint effort between the Tuscaloosa Road Improvement Commission and ALDOT, is expected to cost $89 million and take about three years to complete.[18]
Exit list
The entire route is in Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County.
mi[1] | km | Exit | Destinations | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.00 | 0.00 | SR 7) – Moundville | Continuation beyond southern terminus; southern end of SR 69 concurrency; eastern end of US 11 concurrency; I-20/I-59 exit 71A | ||
0.39 | 0.63 | — | parclo interchange | ||
1.05 | 1.69 | 1 | Cousette Street | Formerly signed for 35th Street / Kauloosa Avenue | |
2.59 | 4.17 | 2 | SR 7 south / SR 13 south (15th Street) – Stillman College | Western end of US 11 concurrency; northbound exit and southbound entrance | |
2.76 | 4.44 | Northern terminus; northern end of SR 69 concurrency | |||
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
|
See also
- United States portal
- U.S. Roads portal
References
- ^ a b Official Highway Map (Map) (2007–2008 ed.). Alabama Department of Transportation.
- ^ a b c Watkins, Ed (September 14, 1982). "Opening of I-359 applauded". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1A.
- ^ USGS topographic maps, accessed April 14, 2010 via ACME Mapper
- ^ a b Watkins, Ed (July 31, 1977). "Connector hearing slated". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 3A.
- ^ Google (April 14, 2010). "Interstate 359/Exit 1 interchange" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
- ^ Google (April 14, 2010). "Interstate 359/Exit 2 interchange" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
- ^ Google (April 14, 2010). "Wrong-way concurrency southbound" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
- ^ Google (April 14, 2010). "Wrong-way concurrency northbound" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
- ^ a b Mizell, James (April 8, 1962). "Major highway projects given top priority here". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1.
- ^ Staff Reporters (January 14, 1971). "Local Interstate funds to be asked". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 17.
- ^ a b McKenzie, Mike (July 28, 1976). "Project progress reported". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 11.
- ^ a b c Watkins, Ed (June 26, 1977). "Hearing set on I-359 project". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1.
- ^ a b Watkins, Ed (June 1, 1979). "Exchange briefed on I-359 project". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 2.
- ^ Gross Domestic Product deflatorfigures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
- ^ Watkins, Ed (June 26, 1980). "I-359 cost to be record". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 2.
- ^ a b Watkins, Ed (January 31, 1982). "Interstate highway project sets state record". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 2D.
- ^ Staff Reporters (October 22, 1982). "Football traffic routes". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 3.
- ^ Henry, Bryan (January 3, 2024). "ALDOT prepares for 'flyover bridge' construction in Tuscaloosa". www.wbrc.com. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
External links
- Interstate 359 Alabama @ Interstate-Guide.com
- Alabama @ SouthEastRoads.com - Interstate 359
- Kurumi - I-359 Alabama