Interstate 565 Alabama

Routing

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

Mileage

State	Mileage	Cities	Junctions
Alabama	21.40	Huntsville	Interstate 65
Source: October 31, 2002 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

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).