This blogpost will give a brief detail of the Memphis-Birmingham-Atlanta freeway, which is Future Interstate 22/U.S. 78.
Future Interstate 22, which is Corridor X from its eastern/unfinished end at I-65 in Birmingham, Alabama to exit 108 east of Fulton, Mississippi, will connect Atlanta and points east via Birmingham directly with the University of Mississippi ("Ole Miss") and Memphis, Tennessee. Future I-22 merges with Corridor V at exit 108 and the routes are co-signed from that point to exit 86 (U.S. 45 - Tupelo/Corinth).
Currently, travelers have to travel down a combination of at-grade, expressway and freeway connections to get to the current thru traffic route, which is east of Jasper, Alabama. Future I-22's eastern end used to be at Industrial Parkway Road in Jasper. It has been extended eastward to exit 93 (Jefferson County Road 77 - Coalburg), which is two miles west of I-65. The stack interchange between I-65 and Future I-22, which will have an access ramp for U.S. 31, is slated to be completed in 2012.
The Future I-22 designation will be dropped when the entire freeway's upgraded to Interstate standards, in both Alabama and Mississippi. Future I-22's western terminus will be, most likely, at one of the Memphis-area Interstates.
Lastly, I've plans of driving Future I-22/U.S. 78 in April or May of this year, to film it.
We will be coming from Columbus, Ga up Hwy 280 on April 12th of 2010 and we will be getting on i-459 and getting on i-65 and will be driving a 40 ft Motor Home. What exit off of I-65 do we get to get on the new I-22? Do we still have to get off on Hwy 78 first?
ReplyDeleteYes, you must still use U.S. 78 West from I-20 West/59 South. The interchange with I-22 and I-65 hasn't been completed, as of yet.
ReplyDeleteREPOST: I live just off Exit 78 (Dora/Sumiton) of future I-22. You can Exit 264 off I-65 just north of downtown Birmingham (41st Street/Daniel Payne Dr.). Take a left at the bottom of the ramp (this exit was reworked within the last couple of years, so any aerial imagery may not reflect the new layout). Go about 0.8 of a mile and turn right on Coalburg Road. Go about 2 miles and you'll be at future I-22.
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous #2: Did like you said, except in the reverse direction: Corridor X East to Coalburg to 41st, and then I jumped on I-65. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI am travling to fla from St. Louis all the travel programs have me taking 78/I-22 to Birmingham to hit HWY 65. Is this road I am travaling with 4 kids is this road done? What about construstion delays and places to stop?
ReplyDelete^^ That's the way to go, down through Memphis to Birmingham. Shouldn't be too many delays going down into the Florida pandhandle. I-22's finished for the most part, two miles west of I-65.
ReplyDeleteHere's a video of I-22 from Old U.S. 78 to its temporary terminus:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMpPbCBQtpg
Hope this helps.
I live in West Jefferson (midway between Jasper and Birmingham on I-22). As a follow-up to those new to the area or just passing through. There are no gas stations or restraunts easily accessed on I-22 between Jasper and Birmingham. Fill your tank in Jasper - the gas is cheaper than in the Birmingham Area. If the kids are hungry, stop in Jasper also. You still have about 30 to 45 minutes of drive time before you see another McDonald's.
ReplyDeleteI drive from Auburn to B'ham regularly up 280. Why would I-22 go to Atlanta when I-20 already does. Why wouldn't it just keep heading southeast. If it did, it would cut right through Auburn, and if it kept going, it would go to the GA coast giving Alabama better Interstate access to Atlantic Ports. That makes more business sense than another Interstate to Atlanta traffic nightmare.
ReplyDeleteALDOT should have extended I-22 to Auburn.
ReplyDeleteWe were driving from Atlanta to Memphis and checked your blog to get these directions. All I can say is THANKS! You saved us a bunch of time and kept us from the nightmare of traffic in downtown Birmingham. Until I-22 interchange is finished at I-65, this is an easy by-pass. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteThis is great! and very helpful! Thanks for the information you have posted.
ReplyDeleteI drove this route in April 2011 and it worked great. I will be driving it again September 19 and curious if the Coalburg route is still the way to go or has the connection been made to Hwy. 65.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I-22's made it's way to I-65, but I don't think that it has yet.
ReplyDeleteI live in the Birmingham area, and unfortunately, due to funding delays in 2009, the remaining 1.5 miles that will connect I-22 to I-65 has been pushed back for completion around the Fall of 2014. Until then, travelers heading northward must continue to use exit 264 (Daniel Payne Dr.) and Coalburg Rd. to access I-22 as mentioned already.
ReplyDeleteAs was also mentioned, it's recommended to stop for fuel and/or food in Jasper for those travelling eastbound on I-22 heading towards Birmingham. There are plans for food and gas stops along exit 85 (U.S. 78 to B'ham, Adamsville, Graysville), however there aren't any noticeable signs of construction where such facilities are scheduled to be built.