Interstate 565 Alabama

History

Western Terminus

Eastern Terminus

Routing / History

Interstate 565 constitutes a spur between Interstate 65 and Decatur eastward to Huntsville and U.S. 72. This freeway replaced Alternate U.S. 72 and Alabama 20 in the 1980s, and it is part of High Priority Corridor 7. The construction has helped fuel growth in the Huntsville area in conjunction with research at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and the Redstone Arsenal. U.S. 72 through Alabama is slated for upgrades to expressway standards as a result of the high priority designation.

High Priority Corridor

Existing and proposed Interstate 565 is part of High Priority Corridor 7: U.S. 72 and High Priority Corridor 11: ADHS Corridor V.

Future Aspirations

Plans call for extensions to Interstate 565 both east and west. Looking east, on May 17, 2004, the U.S. 72 (Maysville Road) and Interstate 565 intersection east of Huntsville was reopened as a full interchange (Exit 21).² The project results in a slight extension of the freeway to east of U.S. 72 (Maysville Road). ALDOT officials however are planning a three-mile extension of Interstate 565 eastward over Chapman Mountain to new interchanges at Moores Mill Road and Shields Road. Right-of-way acquision is underway for the Moores Mill Road exit and construction of the $21.5 million project should begin in 2007. It is hoped however to combine the two interchange projects into a split-diamond configuration.¹

Interstate 565 is being extended west of Interstate 65 for a couple miles toward Decatur, terminating at the U.S. 31 bridges over the Tennessee River. The Fiscal Year 2005 Federal Transportation Department appropriations bill passed by Congress on November 20, 2004, includes $3 million to begin efforts to extend Interstate 565 west to Decatur.³ Further funds were identified in the SAFETEA-LU legislation that was signed by President Bush in August 2005. Further extensions west are not specifically outlined at this time, but they may connect into High Priority Corridor 7 expressway improvements along Alabama 24.

Highway Guides

• Interstate 565

	Western Terminus - Interstate 65 - Decatur, Alabama Perspective from Interstate 565 west Interstate 565 draws to a close westbound at its parent five miles to the east of Decatur. This photograph looks at the two-mile guide sign for Interstate 65/Exit 1. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03). All traffic to Interstate 65 departs Interstate 565 via the right-hand exit-only lane. Alabama 20 continues westbound from Interstate 565 into downtown Decatur and onto Muscle Shoals. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03). This sign bridge is situated at Exit 1 on Interstate 565/Alabama 20 westbound. Although signage indicates that Interstate 565 continues onward, the designation actually comes to a close on the west side of this interchange. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03). Taking the Exit 1 ramp toward Interstate 65 yields this sign bridge for the parent freeway. Birmingham is 74 miles to the south while the Tennessee capital is 101 miles northward. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03). An Interstate 565 ends advisory sign is posted at the western end of the freeway. Alabama 20 continues a short distance to U.S. 31, with both highways sharing an overlap across Wheeler Lake into Decatur. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03). Perspective from Alternate U.S. 72/Alabama 20 east As Alabama 20 eastbound enters the Interstate 65 cloverleaf interchange at Exit 340, the designation of Interstate 565 officially begins. This use of "controlled access highway begins" type signage is unique to Interstate 565 within the Heart of Dixie. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03). Just after the Interstate 565 begins signage is Exit 1A for Interstate 65 southbound to Birmingham. The first southbound exit of Interstate 65 is seven miles away at Priceville with Alabama 67/Exit 334. The next Interstate 565 interchange is within one mile at Mooresville. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03). Night time perspective of the Interstate 565 eastbound beginning at Exit 1A/Interstate 65 south. Interstate 565 itself varies between four and six lanes and is illuminated throughout its Decatur to Huntsville routing. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Justin Cozart (08/24/03). Perspective from Interstate 65 south The first guide sign of the western terminus of Interstate 565 is Pictured in this photograph, two miles north of Exit 340. Alabama 20 overlaps with Interstate 565 a short distance before departing and paralleling the freeway en route to a terminus in Huntsville. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03). One-mile guide sign of Interstate 565 east/Alabama 20/Exit 340 on Interstate 65 southbound. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03). Although the first exit from the north, Alabama 20 westbound is signed as Exit 340A instead of 340B. The Morgan County seat of Decatur is just a five minute drive to the southwest. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03). Unlike in the northbound direction, no collector/distributor roadway for Interstate 565/Alabama 20 is in place for the southbound direction. This night time view looks at the diagrammatical overhead for the upcoming Exit 340B cloverleaf ramp of Interstate 565/Alabama 20 east. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Justin Cozart (08/24/03). The eastbound beginning of Interstate 565 from Interstate 65 southbound occurs at this cloverleaf ramp. Interstate 565 will enter the Huntsville city limits in 12 miles. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03). Perspective from Interstate 65 north Interstate 65 traverses Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge upon entering Limestone County, one mile south of the western terminus of Interstate 565. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03). Drawing within one mile of Interstate 565 and Alabama 20/Exit 340 on Interstate 65 northbound. In addition to serving the city of Huntsville, the second spur of Interstate 65 in Alabama also serves the Redstone Arsenal and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. Various technological weapons for the U.S. Military are developed at the facility. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03). Amid a sea of fresh asphalt and dormant grass, a collector/distributor roadway for Interstate 565 east/Alabama 20/Exit 340 departs from Interstate 65 northbound. The east-west freeway also serves the town of Madison, midway between Interstate 65 and Huntsville. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03). A look at the Interstate 565 eastbound beginning from northbound Interstate 65. Note that the east plate above the Interstate 565 shield was added after the original placement of the guide signage. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03). Eastern Terminus - U.S. 72 and Alabama 2 - Huntsville, Alabama Perspective from Interstate 565 east Interstate 565 eastbound, one mile before concluding, near Exit 20/Oakwood Avenue. In addition to an end advisory panel a U.S. 72/Scottsboro panel is in place to advise motorists of the pending transition from Interstate to divided highway. As a result of the extension of Interstate 565, the "END" and distances are currently (as of late 2007) rather crudely covered with an overlay panel, so only the 565 shield shows on the left panel of this sign.4 Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03). Eastbound Interstate 565 at Exit 20/Oakwood Avenue. Traffic is again reminded of the freeway terminus and connection to U.S. 72. The Jackson County seat of Scottsboro is 41 miles to the east while the connection via U.S. 72 to Interstate 24 is another 34 miles beyond that town. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03). The Interstate 565 viaduct and freeway designation concluded with the position of this end shield ahead of now Exit 21. U.S. 72 (Maysville Road) is seen in the distance as it progresses eastward, departing the city limits of Huntsville in three miles. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03). Early morning view of the former Interstate 565 Alabama end shield assembly ahead of the Maysville Road interchange with U.S. 72. Interstate 565 now ends to the east of the merge with U.S. 72 (see next photograph). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Justin Cozart (08/24/03). The May 17, 2004 opening of the U.S. 72 (Maysville Road) interchange (Exit 21) extends Interstate 565 to east of the federal highway. The junction previously was a signalized intersection. Now that the upgrade is complete, a new end shield is posted on U.S. 72 eastbound for Interstate 565. Photo taken by Jason Ilyes (05/09/04). Perspective from U.S. 72 west Vintage button copy signage for U.S. 72 west to Athens that was posted before the completion of the Exit 21 interchange with Maysville Road. U.S. 72 departs Interstate 565 for Maysville Road as the highway turns westward to bypass downtown Huntsville to the north. Traffic destined for Interstate 565 continues straight. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03). Descending towards downtown Huntsville and the western beginning of Interstate 565 from U.S. 72 (Maysville Road). U.S. 72 comprises a four-lane divided highway between the Tennessee line near Bridgeport and Mississippi line west of Cherokee. It is part of High Priority Corridor 7/ARC Corridor V, otherwise known as "Atlanta to Memphis Interstate". Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03). The previous westbound beginning of Interstate 575 at Exit 20 quickly faces motorists for Oakwood Avenue and Andrew Jackson Way. Exit 19B/A is situated in just one mile, connecting with a short freeway of U.S. 231/431/Memorial Parkway. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (01/26/03).

Sources:

1. "I-565 could go beyond Shields Road." Huntsville Times, August 15, 2004.
2. Lamb, Daniel. "I-565 Exit 21 Now Open." Online posting, Yahoo Groups - Southeast Roads and Transport, May 17, 2004.
3. "Appropriations bill includes $3 million for I-565 extension: Money to be used to stretch road west toward Decatur" in Huntsville Times, November 23, 2004.
4. Philip R. "I-269 broken link / I-565 info and question / I-69 MS info." Personal Email, 1/18/08.

Page Updated April 16, 2008.