Interstate 359 is a short spur linking Interstates 20 and 59 with U.S. 43, providing downtown Tuscaloosa with high speed access to the Interstate. Interstate 359 is signed north-south, with a wrong-way multiplex with U.S. 11 and a regular multiplex with Alabama 69. Northbound Interstate 359 and Alabama 69 is also Southbound U.S. 11. Alabama 215, 24th Avenue, closely parallels Interstate 359 for its entire length.
Southbound Interstate 359 approaching Junction Interstates 20 and 59, one mile. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Andy Field (08/10/02).
Southbound Interstate 359 approaching Junction Interstates 20 and 59; this marks the southern terminus of Interstate 359. It is confusing to think that this is the southern terminus, yet the U.S. 11 sign points north. This is due to the unusual routing U.S. 11 takes through the Tuscaloosa area. Photo taken by Adam Froehlig (02/01).
Southbound Interstate 359 approaching Junction Interstates 20 and 59, one-quarter mile, a second perspective. Note the "END Interstate 359" signage on the sign bridge. The freeway continues beyond this point as U.S. 11 and Alabama 69 in a wrong-way multiplex. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Andy Field (08/10/02).
Southbound Interstate 359 gore point signage for the transition onto Interstates 20 and 59. Traffic not utilizing this ramp encounters a traffic light to the south. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Andy Field (08/10/02).
Continuing onto Interstate 20/59 from Interstate 359 southbound. Tuscaloosa is the only city of significance along the Interstate overlap between Meridian, Mississippi and Birmingham, Alabama. Otherwise the paired routes encounter some slow rolling hills and pine forest throughout the stretch. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Andy Field (08/10/02).
Milepost 0 is situated on the southside of the interchange as Alabama 69 and U.S. 11 prepare to split. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/03/03).
Interstate 359 begins its northbound journey immediately after this traffic light on Northbound Alabama 69. As shown in this photo, Alabama 69 and U.S. 11 meet just south of the Interstate 20/59 interchange. The overhead signs in the distance mark the first northbound signs for Interstate 359. Photo taken by Ed Wilson (2/02).
Signage for Interstates 20, 59, and 359 at the Alabama 69/U.S. 11 traffic light just south of the Interstate 359/Interstate 20-59 interchange. Photo taken by Adam Froehlig (2/01).
This photo is located just north of the traffic light in the previous photo. Interstate 359 begins its northbound journey here, and it is cosigned with U.S. 11 and Alabama 69. Photo taken by Ed Wilson (02/02).
Mile 0 of Interstate 359 northbound. The state of Alabama
mileposts U.S. and State highways also. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (03/06/03).
Close-up of signage for Interstates 20, 59, and 359 just south of the Interstate 359/Interstate 20-59 interchange. Photo taken by Adam Froehlig (02/01).
Perspective from Interstate 20 east/59 north
Two mile guide sign for Exit 71/Interstate 359/Alabama 69. It is standard ALDOT practice to give a two mile notice for impending Interstate to Interstate junctions. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (04/27/03).
Northeastbound Interstate 20/59 approaching Junction Interstate 359 and Alabama 69, one mile. Unsigned here is U.S. 11, with is merged with Interstate 359 and Alabama 69 on the freeway portion. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Andy Field (08/10/02).
Northeastbound Interstate 20/59 off-ramp onto Alabama 69. Unsigned here is U.S. 11, with is merged with southbound Alabama 69. The bridge in the foreground is a sweeping ramp from Interstate 359 south to Interstate 20 east/59 north for Tuscaloosa to Birmingham traffic interests. Photos taken by Alex Nitzman/Andy Field (08/10/02).
Northeastbound Interstate 20/59 at off-ramp for northbound Interstate 359 and Alabama 69. Unsigned here is Southbound U.S. 11, with is merged with Interstate 359 and Alabama 69 between Interstate 20-59 and downtown Tuscaloosa. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Andy Field (08/10/02).
View of the gore point for the Interstate 359 off-ramp. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Andy Field (08/10/02).
Close-up of the gore point for the Interstate 359 exit along northeastbound Interstate 20/59. Note the use of the state name shield on the gore point/exit sign here. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Andy Field (08/10/02).
Night time detail of the Exit 71B guide sign depicted above. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (02/11/03).
Next Three Interstate Junctions for Interstate 20 east/59 north
The first guide sign of Interstate 359/Alabama 69/Exits 71B/A on Interstate 20 west/59 southbound. Like other signs at this interchange, the lettering retains button copy. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/03/03).
Sign bridge one mile east of the Exit 71 cloverleaf interchange of Interstate 359/U.S. 11/Alabama 69. Interstate 20/59 west/south expand to three lanes between Exits 73 and 71. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (04/27/03).
Approaching Exit 71A for Interstate 359 northbound. This is one of four interchanges that serve the metropolitan area of Tuscaloosa. U.S. 11 merges onto Alabama 69 just south of this interchange, overlapping with Interstate 359 northbound towards downtown. Even with that being the case, the federal route is omitted from Exit 71 guide signs. Photo taken by Justin Cozart.
Interstate 20 west/59 south as the paired Interstates enter the Exit 71 interchange of the southern terminus of Interstate 359. Alabama 69 ties in from the south, serving Taylorsville and southside Tuscaloosa. The state route extends from Interstate 359 as a divided highway southward to Moundville near the Tuscaloosa/Greene county line. Photo taken by Justin Cozart.
Next Three Interstate Junctions for Interstate 20 west/59 south
Northbound Interstate 359 approaching Junction U.S. 43; this marks the northern terminus of Interstate 359. Southbound U.S. 11 exits onto Southbound U.S. 43, and Alabama 69 continues straight ahead with northbound U.S. 43. Photo taken by Adam Froehlig (2/01).
Northbound Interstate 359 end signage at Exit 2 (U.S. 11-43 Southbound). U.S. 43 and Alabama 69 northbound continue straight ahead. The freeway ends here too; it connects to one-way surface streets in downtown Tuscaloosa. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Andy Field (08/10/02).
Northbound Interstate 359 transitions onto the Tuscaloosa surface streets signed as U.S. 43 and Alabama 69 northbound; U.S. 11 southbound turns onto U.S. 43 southbound. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Andy Field (08/10/02).
Northbound Interstate 359 transitions onto a surface street at this point. This end is very similar to Interstates 175 and 375 in St. Petersburg, Florida, with the ramps connecting onto one-way streets. It is possible that an extension of Interstate 359 northbound could be constructed in the block between the two one-way streets; however, it is unclear if such construction is likely to occur. However, provisions were clearly left here for Interstate 359 to continue its northbound journey from here, perhaps all the way to the Black Warrior River Bridge. But for now, this marks the northern terminus of Interstate 359. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Andy Field (08/10/02).
Perspective from U.S. 43/Alabama 69 south
First overhead signage for Interstate 359 along southbound just south of the U.S. 43 junction in Tuscaloosa. Interstates 20/59 are signed here because most shields in downtown point toward Interstates 20/59, not Interstate 359. Note the cosigned routes of southbound Alabama 69 and the wrong-way northbound U.S. 11 (the freeway is actually headed southbound at this point). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Andy Field (08/10/02).
Perspective from 15th Street west
15th Street westbound, which at this point carries no numbered route, as it meets the northern terminal interchange of Interstate 359. U.S. 43 turns onto 15th Street from the north and travels west with U.S. 11 out of Tuscaloosa. Alabama 69 continues southward with Interstate 359 to Taylorville. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (04/27/03).
Perspective from 15th Street east
15h Street eastbound (U.S. 11/43 north) at Interstate 359/Alabama 69. U.S. 11 and 43 northbound split here with U.S. 43 overlapping with Alabama 69 northward to downtown and Northport. U.S. 11 meanwhile turns southward with Interstate 359 and Alabama 69 to south Tuscaloosa. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (12/28/02).
