User:Nhlarry/Work-in-Progress/Bypass Network (Huntsville, Alabama)

In and around Huntsville, Alabama, a series of current and proposed routes make up a extensive bypass network that loop around the city. Once complete, the bypass network will make up 55 miles ; but currently only about 12 miles have been constructed.

Western Bypass
The western bypass is nearly complete with 10 miles of its 13 miles built and able to handle four lanes of traffic. Most of its route is controlled access. Majority of the western bypass goes by the name 'Research Park Boulevard' and follows Alabama State Route 255 from Interstate 565 to State Route 53.

The western bypass starts at Interstate 565 where Rideout Road, leaving Redstone Arsenal, continues as Research Park Boulevard. The route shots straight north with freeway standard controlled access, passing by Bridge Street Town Centre and through Cummings Research Park. The route meets University Drive US-72 with a six ramp partial cloverleaf and continues north to eventually intersect Jordan Lane (SR-53). Once crossing SR-53, controlled access ends and the bypass takes on the name of 'Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lane'. Once intersecting Pulaski Pike, the route takes on the name 'Bob Wade Lane' and passes directly south of the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama plant. The bypass officially ends as the road narrows to two lanes and continue as Bob Wade Lane to Memorial Parkway (US-231/431).

The western bypass should be completed within a few years with four lanes of traffic traveling just north of Bob Wade Lane end at Memorial Parkway near the current Bob Wade/Memorial Parkway intersection.

Northern Bypass
The northern bypass is a proposed route that will connect Memorial Parkway (US-231/US-431) to US-72 outside of Gurley to make a 17.5 mile highway.

Eastern Bypass
The eastern bypass will connect US-431 in Hampton Cove to US-72 outside of Gurley. Currently a little over two miles has been completed that can handle four lanes of traffic; the route follows Old Highway 431 and Little Cove Road.

Southern Bypass
The southern bypass is a proposed 18.5 mile route that will connect US-431 in New Hope to interstate 565 outside Redstone Arsenal while intersecting Memorial Parkway in South Huntsville. West of Memorial Parkway, the route will take on the name of "Patriot Parkway". The route will become apart of the proposed Memphis-to-Atlanta Highway.

Original Route
Portions of the southern bypass were planned to travel across Redstone Arsenal to connect directly to the western bypass at Research Park Boulevard and interstate 565. Following the September 11th attacks, the U.S. Army blocked the proposed path due to updated security requirements. Until those are changed, any route across Redstone Arsenal is an impossibility.

History

 * 1965: Western Bypass began construction from State Route 20, now Interstate 565, to University Drive (US-72)
 * 1995: Western Bypass is extended to Jordan Lane (AL-53)
 * 2001: Southern Bypass through Redstone Arsenal blocked follow the 9/11 attacks
 * 2005: Western Bypass is extended from Jordan Lane (AL-53) to just pass Pulaski Pike
 * 2012: Majority of the western bypass is at freeway standards