Interstate 359 Alabama

Overview

Interstate 359 is a short spur linking I-59/20 with U.S. 43 and Downtown Tuscaloosa. The freeway was envisioned as part of an overall highway plan including the Hugh Thomas Bridge across the Black Warrior River and the couplet of Lurleen B. Wallace Boulevards (25th/26th Avenues) between Northport and Tuscaloosa.¹ Interstate 359 runs concurrent with U.S. 11 and Alabama State Route 69 from Skyland Boulevard in south Tuscaloosa to 15th Street, where U.S. 43 enters from near Stillman College.

Mileage by State

Alabama

2.30 mi

Data Sources

December 31, 2021 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

History

Interstate 359 was part of the urban Interstate numerology approved by the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) for the state of Alabama on November 10, 1958. A map showing the proposed Interstate System in Alabama submitted by the Alabama Highway Department to AASHO on April 4, 1958 showed the Tuscaloosa spur as Route A59.

Planning for the Tuscaloosa spur began in 1961.⁴ Costing $7 million, the Hugh Thomas Bridge between Northport and Downtown Tuscaloosa, opened to traffic on December 17, 1973 in conjunction with the Lurleen B. Wallace Boulevard couplet.² The first contract (July 1979) for Interstate 359 involved construction of the interchange with I-59/20 and the expansion of the freeway to six overall lanes eastward to McFarland Boulevard (U.S. 82).

The second project (October 1979) focused on work to build I-359 between the AGS Railroad and I-59/20. The third project (March 1980) built the freeway viaduct from the AGS Railroad to 15th Street. Work on the northernmost portion, from 15th Street to 12th Street was under contract by September 1980.³ Included in the construction of Interstate 359 was work on 15th Street, which included a viaduct over the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad and expansion of the road from two to six lanes.

Work culminated on the $41 million Interstate project with a ribbon cutting ceremony held on the afternoon of September 13, 1983.⁴ Associated construction with 15th Street to Stillman Boulevard continued through mid November 1983. The speed limit along I-359 was initially set at 50 miles per hour.⁵

Construction of Interstate 359 replaced the alignment of U.S. 11 and U.S. 82 between Downtown Tuscaloosa and the Taylorville area. The arterial bypass for U.S. 82 was completed in the 1970s while U.S. 11 was realigned away from Greensboro Avenue onto the freeway spur.

North End  ‐ Tuscaloosa, AL

North South at

Interstate 359 northbound enters a diamond interchange (Exit 2) with 15th Street ahead of the transition onto Lurleen B. Wallace Boulevard. U.S. 11 south departs at Exit 2 for an overlap with U.S. 43 southwest to Stillman College and Eutaw. 10/21/12

South at

Lurleen B. Wallace Boulevard southbound partitions with three lanes ascending onto the viaduct along Interstate 359 and a two lane ramp departing for 15th Street and U.S. 11/43 south to Stillman College and Fosters. 10/21/12

North at

U.S. 11/43 (15th Street) north part ways at the entrance ramp for I-359 and SR 69 south to I-59/20 and Skyland Boulevard. 15th Street continues east from nearby Greenboro Avenue as part of SR 215 to U.S. 82 (McFarland Boulevard) at University Mall. 06/06/17

15th Street – West at

15th Street west at I-359 south, U.S. 11, U.S. 43 and SR 69. U.S. 11/43 originally followed Stillman Boulevard northeast from 15th Street to 24th Avenue, the old alignment of U.S. 82. Photo by Chris Patriarca (04/27/03).

South End 

South at

The viaduct along I-359 originating from 12th Street extends across the AGS South District Railroad line, 1.25 miles ahead of I-59/20. 06/07/17