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Federal, state, and local officials gathered at the Birmingham Northern Beltline construction site on Thursday, celebrating the anticipated benefits of the new highway for the region, particularly in terms of economic growth and public safety.
U.S. Congressman Gary Palmer emphasized the transformative potential of the Beltline, noting its role in preserving the region’s quality of life while fostering economic development. “We have an opportunity to complete our infrastructure in a way that doesn’t make us Atlanta or Nashville. We can maintain the quality of life we have here but still have the economic development that will enrich the lives of everybody in the region,” Palmer stated. “This is one of the most important infrastructure projects in the history of the state of Alabama. It’s really going to have an enormously positive impact for years and years to come.”
Gardendale Mayor Stan Hogeland likened the project to the early development of Interstate 459, which catalyzed growth in southern Jefferson and northern Shelby counties. “I always compare it to the early days of 459. Look at pre- and post-459. That’s what’s going to happen in our areas,” Hogeland said. He described the Northern Beltline as a “game changer” and pledged continued collaboration with local leaders to maximize its benefits.
Fultondale Mayor Larry Holcomb highlighted the highway’s potential to improve emergency response times, noting that it would alleviate traffic on heavily-used local roads. “Connecting this together will pull a lot of the traffic off of Carson Road and our backroads because people in this area, when they have to go to Birmingham for emergency services, Carson Road is the main drag they use. This will put it on a better road for traveling and make it safer for them to get to where they need to go,” Holcomb explained.
Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight echoed the commitment of local leaders to the project’s completion. “We’re going to open up the northeast of Jefferson County to all kinds of opportunities,” Knight said. “We’re not going to stop again. We’re going to get it done.”
Construction on the first phase of the Northern Beltline, which will connect State Route 75 and State Route 79 in Jefferson County, is progressing on schedule and is expected to be completed by 2026. The next phase will extend the highway to U.S. Highway 31.
Once finished, the Northern Beltline will span 52 miles, linking Interstate 59 in northeast Jefferson County to the I-459 interchange near Bessemer.
The Alabama congressional delegation secured $519 million in funding to complete the 10-mile segment from State Route 75 to U.S. Highway 31, a critical portion of the project.
Support for the Northern Beltline has been widespread, with more than 40 area cities, three counties, and numerous businesses endorsing the project through official resolutions and statements.
Janet Kavinoky, Chair of the Coalition for Regional Transportation, expressed gratitude to Alabama’s congressional delegation, Governor Kay Ivey, and the Alabama Department of Transportation for their support. “We’re excited to be championing this project. We’re excited to be painting a picture of a future that gives people better access to services and that opens up opportunity for economic development,” Kavinoky said.
The Coalition for Regional Transportation (CRT) is a non-partisan organization advocating for surface transportation projects that benefit the Birmingham region.
