Interstate 459 Alabama

Interstate 459 Alabama
Bessemer, AL ↔ Trussville, AL•32.80 miles

Overview

Interstate 459 forms a beltway around the south side of Birmingham between I-59/20 at Bessemer and I-59 near Trussville. The freeway functions as a bypass for I-59/20 west to Tuscaloosa and Meridian, Mississippi, I-20 east to Anniston and Atlanta, Georgia and I-59 north to Gadsden and Chattanooga, Tennessee. Speed limits vary between 65 and 70 miles per hour along the mostly six lane suburban freeway.

Mileage by State

Alabama32.80 mi

Data Sources

December 31, 2021 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

History

The initial maps sent to the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) by the state of Alabama included the three branch routes for Interstate 59.  They were outlined as A59 for I-359 in Tuscaloosa, B59 for I-459 around Birmingham, and C59 for I-759 at Gadsden. Alabama was one of several states to assign branch routes with a lettered prefix, as the standard numbering guidelines by AASHO were not set until 1958. B59 was reassigned as Interstate 459 in the proposed urban Interstate numerology for Alabama submitted to the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) on November 10, 1958

Work on Interstate 459 began in 19681. The first section of the bypass opened in 1978 from I-20 to I-59 between Irondale and northeast Birmingham.2 The final portion of I-459, between I-59/20 at Bessemer and State Route 150 in Hoover, opened to traffic in late 1984. The 5.2 mile segment cost $28.7 million to build.2

North End Interstate 59 ‐ Trussville, AL

Interstate 459 North at Interstate 59

I-459 north at I-59 - Birmingham, AL

Interstate 459 bends northwest from the diamond interchange (Exit 31) with Derby Parkway toward U.S. 11 and I-59 near Roebuck Plaza. 05/06/22

I-459 north at I-59 - Birmingham, AL I-459 north at I-59 - Birmingham, AL I-459 north at I-59 - Birmingham, AL I-459 north at I-59 - 2013 I-459 north at I-59 - Birmingham, AL

Interstate 59 South at Interstate 459

I-59 south at I-459 - Trussville, AL

I-59 advances two miles south between Red and Little Sand Mountains to the split with Interstate 459 at Exit 137. 09/11/20

I-59 south at I-459 - Trussville, AL I-59 south at I-459 - Trussville, AL I-59 south at I-459 - Trussville, AL I-59 south at I-459 - Trussville, AL

Interstate 59 North at Interstate 459

I-59 north at I-459 - Birmingham, AL

The first sign for the north end of Interstate 459 along I-59 northbound appears at the Valley Drive underpass and the Brookhurst community in Birmingham. 09/11/20

I-59 north at I-459 - Birmingham, AL I-59 north at I-459 - Birmingham, AL I-59 north at I-459 - Birmingham, AL I-59 north at I-459 - Birmingham, AL

South End Interstate 20 Interstate 59 ‐ Bessemer, AL

Interstate 459 South at Interstate 59 Interstate 20

I-459 south at I-59/20 - Bessemer, AL

Two miles out from the trumpet interchange joining Interstate 459 with I-59/20 at McCalla. 06/09/17

I-459 south at I-59/20 - Bessemer, AL I-459 south at I-59/20 - McCalla, AL I-459 south at I-59/20 - McCalla, AL I-459 south at I-59/20 - McCalla, AL

Interstate 20 West Interstate 59 South at Interstate 459

I-59/20 south at I-459 - Bessemer, AL

U.S. 11/SR 5 combine with I-59/20 southwest from Bessemer City at the preceding interchange to Interstate 459 north (Exit 106). 06/09/17

I-59/20 south at I-459 - Bessemer, AL I-59/20 south at I-459 - Bessemer, AL I-59/20 south at I-459 - McCalla, AL I-59/20 south at I-459 - McCalla, AL

Interstate 20 East Interstate 59 North at Interstate 459

I-59/20 north at I-459 - Bessemer, AL

One mile south of the I-59/20 separation with I-459 east. Regional traffic to Gadsden and Atlanta, Georgia is directed to take Interstate 459 around Birmingham. 06/09/17

I-59/20 north at I-459 - Bessemer, AL I-59/20 north at I-459 - Bessemer, AL I-59/20 north at I-459 - Bessemer, AL

South End – Past Views

Past Views Gallery (Tap to Expand / Collapse Section)

Interstate 20 East Interstate 59 North at Interstate 459

I-59/20 north at I-459 - 2003

Widening of I-59/20 from four to six lanes included the replacement of this ground level guide sign with an overhead assembly. Photo by Chris Patriarca (05/19/03).

I-59/20 north at I-459 - 2003 I-59/20 north at I-459 - 2003

References

  1. Nashville firm low bidder. (1981, January 24). Gadsden Times.
  2. Section of I-459 may be open soon. (1984, November 28). The Tuscaloosa News.
Updated June 1, 2022