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Interstate 459
Interstate 459
Interstate 459
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Interstate 459 marker
Interstate 459
Map
I-459 highlighted in red
Route information
Auxiliary route of I-59
Maintained by ALDOT
Length32.8 mi[1] (52.8 km)
Existed1984–present
NHSEntire route
Major junctions
South end I-20 / I-59 / US 11 near Bessemer
Major intersections
North end I-59 near Trussville
Location
CountryUnited States
StateAlabama
CountiesJefferson
Highway system
  • Alabama State Highway System
← US 431→ I-565

Interstate 459 (I-459) is a bypass highway of I-59 that is an alternate Interstate Highway around the southern sides of Birmingham, Bessemer, and several other cities and towns in Jefferson County, Alabama. I-459 lies entirely within Jefferson County. This Interstate Highway is about 32.8 miles (52.8 km) long, and its construction was completed in 1984. I-459 has major interchanges with I-59, I-20, and I-65.

Route description

[edit]

I-459 begins at a trumpet interchange with I-20/I-59 near Bessemer and McCalla. Exit 1, an interchange with Eastern Valley Road, provides access to the large Colonial Promenade shopping center and McCalla community. The freeway then passes under Pocahontas Road and next to the Bent Brook Golf Club before intersecting with Morgan Road at exit 6. Morgan Road connects with Bessemer, Helena, and the western fringes of Hoover along with the Bessemer Airport. After Morgan Road, I-459 enters a much more populated and developed area, namely the large suburb of Hoover. Once interchanging with State Route 150 (SR 150) at exit 10, the highway turns northeastward and widens to 10 lanes. Exit 13 is with US 31, a major suburban route through Hoover, Vestavia Hills, and Pelham. A southbound flyover ramp at this interchange provides direct access to the Riverchase Galleria. The freeway then approaches its interchange with I-65, one of two four-level stack interchanges in the state (the other being its interchange with I-20). After the I-65 interchange, the roadway decreases to six lanes and has a minor interchange with Acton Road at exit 17. As it exits Hoover, I-459 intersects with US 280, an 8- to 10-lane suburban arterial that is one of the most congested roads in Greater Birmingham. The area around this interchange contains many hotels and office buildings. After the US 280 interchange, it turns north and enters a residential area along the Cahaba River, crossing the river twice before passing the "Miss Liberty" (Statue of Liberty replica) and the exit 23 interchange with Liberty Parkway and Overton Road. The highway passes east of Mountain Brook while turning northeast and interchanging with Grants Mill Road at exit 27. After this intersection, I-459 turns northward again as it approaches the suburb of Trussville. The interchange with I-20 is one of two stack interchanges in Greater Birmingham. In its last few miles, the highway intersects with Derby Parkway and US 11 in Trussville before completing its 33-mile (53 km) course with an interchange at I-59.

Future

[edit]

An additional interchange for I-459

[edit]

Negotiations between the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and the city of Hoover are continuing regarding the prospective building of an additional interchange for I-459 at South Shades Crest Road, a heavily traveled traffic artery to help relieve congestion on SR 150.[2] On August 31, 2023, Governor Kay Ivey announced this interchange would add a numbered exit 9, about one mile from exit 10 (SR 150). The project, which is a City of Hoover-led initiative, is expected to cost $120 million.[3]

Northern bypass

[edit]

There are plans to construct another Interstate Highway bypass running north of the Birmingham area to provide another Interstate Highway that would have major interchanges with I-59 (two), I-20 (one), I-65 (one), and I-22, with all of these interchanges being either north or west of Birmingham. This planned Birmingham Northern Beltline has been numbered I-422. This northern bypass of the urban area, if completed, would give Birmingham and Jefferson County a completely ringed Interstate bypass. I-65, I-59, and I-459 are expected to be widened or reconstructed to accommodate the increase in traffic that will come from the construction of I-422.[3]

Exit list

[edit]

The entire route is in Jefferson County.

LocationmikmExitDestinationsNotes
​0.000.00—
 I-422 north		Proposed continuation beyond I-59/I-20
​0A-B I-20 (US-11/SR-5/SR-7) / I-59 – Birmingham, TuscaloosaI-20/59 exit 106; southbound exit and northbound entrance; southern terminus & trumpet interchange for now & signed as left exit 0A (west/south) & 0B (east/north).
Bessemer1.862.991Bessemer, McCallaEastern Valley Road
6.4010.306Helena, BessemerMorgan Road
9.3014.979Shades Crest Road (CR 97)Proposed to relieve congestion on exit 10
Hoover10.6917.2010 SR 150 – Hoover, BessemerHoover Metropolitan Stadium (formerly Regions Park); Riverchase Galleria
13.4821.6913A
 To SR 150 / Galleria Boulevard		Southbound exit and northbound entrance
13.9422.4313B US 31 (SR-3) – Hoover, PelhamSigned as exit 13 northbound
15.3424.6915 I-65 – Birmingham, MontgomeryI-65 exit 250
​17.3227.8717Acton Road
Birmingham19.9732.1419 US 280 (SR-38) – Mountain Brook, Childersburg
23.9438.5323Liberty Parkway
Irondale27.3143.9527Grants Mill Road
29.2547.0729 I-20 – Birmingham, AtlantaI-20 exit 136
Birmingham31.1850.1831Derby Parkway
​32.8052.7932 US 11 (SR-7) – Trussville
​33.2353.4833 I-59 – Birmingham, GadsdenNorthbound exit and southbound entrance; northern terminus; I-59 exit 137; signed as left exit 33A (south) & 33B (north); directional T interchange.
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Interstate 459

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Interstate 459 (I-459) is a 32.8-mile (52.8 km) auxiliary Interstate Highway in , that serves as a southern bypass for the Birmingham metropolitan area. It connects the concurrency of (I-20) and (I-59) near Bessemer at its southern terminus to I-59 near Trussville at its northern terminus, forming the southern half of a beltway around Birmingham, with the northern portion (the , designated I-422) under construction as of 2025. The route primarily traverses suburban areas, linking key communities including Bessemer, McCalla, Helena, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Irondale, and Trussville. The highway begins at a with I-20/I-59 southwest of Bessemer and proceeds northeast through industrial and residential zones, intersecting (US 11) and State Route 5 (SR 5) before reaching a major junction with I-65 in western Hoover. From there, I-459 curves eastward, passing through affluent suburbs and crossing SR 149 and US 280 near the Vestavia Hills-Mountain Brook line, where it handles significant commuter and freight traffic; a new interchange at Exit 9 (South Shades Crest Road) is under , expected to open in 2027. The route continues to its northern end at a directional T interchange with I-59 south of Irondale, providing an alternative to the congested downtown Birmingham section of I-20/I-59. Throughout its length, I-459 is a mostly six-lane divided freeway with speed limits of 65 to 70 mph, facilitating access to local roads and commercial districts. Planning for I-459 originated in 1958 as a proposed bypass designated "B-59," which was quickly redesignated as I-459 by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on November 10 of that year to align with interstate numbering conventions. Construction commenced in 1968 amid efforts to alleviate growing traffic pressures on Birmingham's primary interstates, with the first segment—from I-20 to I-59 between Irondale and northeastern Birmingham—opening to traffic in 1978. The remaining portions were built progressively, culminating in the completion of the southern section from Bessemer to SR 150 in 1984 at a cost of $28.7 million for that final link. Fully operational by 1984, I-459 has since played a crucial role in regional mobility, supporting economic growth in Jefferson County's southern suburbs and diverting through traffic from Birmingham's urban core.

History

Planning and designation

Planning for Interstate 459 originated in as a proposed bypass designated "B-59," which was quickly redesignated as I-459 by the (FHWA) on November 10 of that year to align with interstate numbering conventions. This concept emerged amid rapid growth in Jefferson County, where I-59's path through the city's core was becoming overburdened by local and through traffic, prompting calls for an alternative southern corridor to enhance regional connectivity. The highway was incorporated into the 1968 Interstate plan updates, which authorized additional urban routes and spurred initial engineering work starting that year. During the 1970s, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) led environmental and route alignment studies, emphasizing a southern path around Jefferson County to balance development needs with ecological concerns. The selection of a southern alignment was primarily motivated by the desire to bypass Birmingham's urban core, thereby reducing disruption to residential and commercial districts while linking industrial hubs in Bessemer and the growing Hoover area. This routing prioritized access to southern Jefferson County's manufacturing and logistics sectors, supporting economic expansion without exacerbating central city gridlock.

Construction and opening

Construction on Interstate 459 began in 1968 as part of the broader effort to develop a southern bypass around , with initial segments focusing on grading and right-of-way preparation in Jefferson County. Major construction activities ramped up in the late , involving earthwork, paving, and the erection of bridges and interchanges amid the suburban expansion of the Birmingham metropolitan area. The highway was built in phases due to its 32.8-mile length and complex terrain. The first section, from I-20/I-59 near Irondale to a point southwest toward Birmingham, opened to traffic in 1978, providing an early relief route for traffic northeast of Birmingham. Subsequent phases extended southward, with additional segments opening progressively through the early 1980s, including connections to and U.S. Route 280. The full route was completed in 1984. Funding for Interstate 459 came primarily from the federal program, which covered 90 percent of construction costs under the , with the Department of Transportation (ALDOT) providing the remaining 10 percent through state resources. Key challenges during construction included land acquisition in rapidly developing suburban areas, where right-of-way procurement faced delays due to negotiations with property owners and proceedings typical of 1970s-era interstate projects. Bridge construction over railroads and rivers like the Cahaba required specialized engineering to ensure structural integrity and minimal disruption to existing rail and waterway traffic.

Route and interchanges

Route description

Interstate 459 begins at a trumpet interchange with I-20, I-59, and US 11 near Bessemer at mile marker 0, marking the southwestern terminus of this 32.8-mile-long auxiliary Interstate Highway that lies entirely within . From there, the route heads northeast, traversing industrial zones in Bessemer and transitioning into suburban developments as it climbs through the gently rolling terrain of Shades Valley. The highway maintains a six-lane divided configuration throughout its length, with a posted of 70 miles per hour, facilitating efficient through traffic around the southern periphery of the Birmingham metropolitan area. As I-459 progresses northeastward, it passes south of Hoover, weaving through a mix of forested uplands and expanding residential neighborhoods before crossing I-65 at approximately mile 15 via a complex four-level that handles significant commuter volumes. Beyond this junction, the route curves east-southeast, skirting the southern edges of Vestavia Hills and entering more urbanized sections near Birmingham, where it bridges the amid a shift from semi-rural woodlands to denser commercial corridors. Average daily traffic along these segments ranges from 50,000 to 100,000 vehicles, reflecting heavy utilization by local commuters and regional freight, according to 2025 data. Continuing eastward, I-459 passes close to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport to the north, approximately 7 miles from its runways, before intersecting US 280 at mile 19 in a high-volume area featuring collector-distributor lanes to manage merging flows from the bustling retail and office districts nearby. The highway then arcs through Irondale's industrial parks and over additional creeks, embodying a clear rural-to-urban transition as it approaches its northeastern terminus. I-459 concludes at a directional T interchange with I-59 near Trussville at mile marker 33, providing seamless connectivity for traffic bypassing central Birmingham.

Exit list

Interstate 459 features 15 interchanges over its 32.8-mile length, with interchanges at both termini and a mix of diamond, partial cloverleaf, and stack interchanges at major routes. The following table details the exits from south to north, including mile markers, destinations, interchange types, and notes on configuration and usage. (AADT) data, drawn from ALDOT reports and related studies, is included where available for mainline segments near each exit; volumes generally increase northward, reflecting commuter and usage.
ExitMileDestinationsLocationInterchange TypeNotesAADT (Year, Source)
—0.00I-20 / I-59 east / north – Birmingham, MeridianBessemerTrumpetSouthern terminus; provides access to I-20 west toward Tuscaloosa and I-59 south; 2 lanes southbound; loop ramp for eastbound on-ramp (35 mph).~50,000 (2023, estimated from regional corridor data)
11.87Eastern Valley Road (CR 18) – Bessemer, McCalla, Tanner Road State ParkBessemerDiamond2 lanes north and south; serves local traffic and park access; gas and lodging nearby.N/A
66.43Morgan Road (CR 52) – Helena, BessemerBessemerDiamond2 lanes north and south; partial cloverleaf elements; gas, food, lodging, and camping available.~66,000 (2025, ALDOT via local report)
9 (proposed)~9.00South Shades Crest Road / Ross Bridge ParkwayHooverDiverging diamond (planned)Not yet built; approved in 2022 to improve access between Exits 6 and 10; funded by ALDOT and Hoover; construction delayed pending resolution of eminent domain appeal (as of October 2025).N/A
1010.75SR-150 (John Hawkins Parkway) – Hoover, BessemerHooverDiamond3 lanes north and south; serves commercial areas; traffic signals on cross street.N/A
13A13.96Galleria BoulevardHooverPartial cloverleaf3 lanes southbound only; flyover ramp added in 2002 for direct access to The Galleria mall; high usage for shopping.N/A
13B13.96US-31 – Hoover, PelhamHooverPartial cloverleaf / diamond3 lanes north and south; half-directional ramps to north; loop ramp southbound to eastbound; food and lodging.N/A
1515.37I-65 – Montgomery, BirminghamHooverFour-level stack3 lanes north and south; costliest interchange in Alabama history; connects to I-65 north (Exit 252) and south (Exit 248); heavy commuter traffic.130,000 (2004, adjusted estimate; recent ~100,000)
1717.38Acton RoadHoover / Vestavia HillsDiamond3 lanes north and south; serves residential and commercial areas; gas and food available.N/A
1919.39US-280 (SR-38) – Mountain Brook, ChildersburgMountain BrookPartial cloverleaf / diamond3 lanes north and south; flyover ramp added in early 1990s, additional lanes in 2004; major suburban corridor with high commercial usage.105,172 (2023, ALDOT corridor data)
2323.35Liberty ParkwayMountain BrookDiamond3 lanes north and south; serves local suburban traffic.N/A
2726.71Grants Mill RoadIrondaleDiamond3 lanes north and south; access to shopping and industrial areas; traffic signals present.N/A
2928.66I-20 – Birmingham, AtlantaIrondaleFour-level stack3 lanes north and south; connects to I-20 west (Exit 136A/B) toward Birmingham and east (Exit 136) toward Atlanta.N/A
3130.62Derby ParkwayBirminghamDiamond3 lanes north and south; serves Roebuck Plaza area; local access with moderate ramp lengths.N/A
3232.58US-11 – TrussvilleTrussvilleFolded diamond3 lanes north and south; lane drop northbound; gas and food nearby.N/A
—33.07I-59 north / south – Birmingham, GadsdenTrussvilleDirectional T / three-levelNorthern terminus; 3 lanes northbound only; connects to I-59 north (Exit 140B) toward Gadsden and south local lanes (Exit 140A); trumpet elements.~70,000 (2023, estimated from I-59 integration)

Future developments

New interchange at Exit 9

The proposed Exit 9 interchange on Interstate 459 is situated between existing Exits 6 (Morgan Road) and 10 (SR-150 / John Hawkins Parkway) near , at the intersection of South Shades Crest Road and an extension of Ross Bridge Parkway. This location targets at the SR-150 interchange (Exit 10) and along Highway 150 by providing direct access to growing commercial districts. The project features a full design with ramps connecting to Brocks Gap Parkway and an extension of Ross Bridge Parkway, alongside widening of adjacent local roads to accommodate increased . Estimated at $120 million, funding is split approximately equally between the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) using federal funds and the City of Hoover. Planning for the interchange originated in the 2010s with an initial study in 2010 and an update in 2022, leading to approvals in the early 2020s. Bids were solicited in 2025, with groundbreaking, originally planned for early that year, delayed by an October 17 court ruling; completion is targeted for 2027 pending resolution. The project is justified by its potential to support economic growth in Hoover's commercial areas through new development corridors and to alleviate regional congestion by improving access and reducing delays at nearby interchanges. Environmental impact studies, including an interchange justification report and preliminary NEPA reviews, were advanced by 2023. As of November 2025, the project has faced delays following a October 17 court ruling in favor of homeowner James Robertson in an dispute, halting construction; ALDOT has indicated plans to appeal the decision. Prior to the ruling, site preparation was underway, including a $232,000 approved on October 14 for contract adjustments.

Northern Beltline integration

The Interstate 422 (I-422), known as the Birmingham Northern Beltline, is a planned 52-mile northern bypass route around Birmingham, Alabama, extending from the interchange of Interstate 20 (I-20), Interstate 59 (I-59), and Interstate 459 (I-459) west of the city near Bessemer to I-59 northeast of the city near Trussville. This project, under construction since the 2010s with significant advancements in the 2020s, aims to form a complete interstate loop with I-459 by providing a northern arc for through traffic, avoiding central Birmingham congestion. Segments have begun opening phasedly, with the initial portion between Alabama State Route 75 (SR-75) near Palmerdale and SR-79 near Pinson nearing completion and slated to open in late 2026. The connection to I-459 occurs at its western terminus near the I-20/I-59/I-459 junction in Bessemer, while the eastern terminus links directly to I-59 adjacent to the I-59/I-20/I-459 junction near Trussville, enabling a full circumferential route around Birmingham when combined with short segments of I-20. This integration completes the vision of a beltway system originally proposed in the alongside I-459 to bypass the urban core for interstate traffic. The project is divided into multiple phases across seven segments, with a total estimated cost exceeding $5 billion, funded through a combination of federal allocations—such as $489 million from the in 2023—and state resources. As of 2025, construction on the initial section is very close to completion, with ongoing work on early eastern and northern segments and full opening projected for the late 2040s. Upon completion, I-422 is expected to spur economic development in northern Jefferson County by attracting , , and retail growth similar to the boom following I-459's opening, while providing freight relief to I-459 and other radials like I-65 by diverting truck traffic northward. Environmental mitigations include wetland restoration and compensation sites to offset impacts on approximately 90 crossings, including and wetlands, as required under federal approvals.

References

  1. https://www.interstate-guide.com/i-459-al/
  2. https://aldotnews.org/2024/06/28/work-underway-to-open-first-phase-of-birmingham-northern-beltline/
  3. https://www.wbrc.com/2024/04/25/construction-i-459-interchange-set-start-2025/
  4. https://www.aaroads.com/guides/i-459-al
  5. https://www.bhamwiki.com/w/Interstate_459
  6. https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/highwayhistory/data/page03.cfm
  7. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/white-elephant-watch-vol-4/
  8. https://aldotgis.dot.state.al.us/TDMPublic/
  9. https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/78177
  10. https://abc3340.com/news/abc-3340-news-iteam/interstate-459-exit-9-project-south-shades-crest-highway-150-city-of-hoover-alabama-department-of-transportation-interchange-project
  11. https://abc3340.com/news/abc-3340-news-iteam/hoovers-exit-9-project-halted-as-court-sides-with-homeowner-in-eminent-domain-battle-james-robertson-alabama-department-of-transportation-459-interchange-ruling-appeal-follow-up
  12. https://www.dot.state.al.us/news/2023/opmSTPBHI459.html
  13. https://flute-garlic-aj4n.squarespace.com/s/MAGIC-65-Final-Report.pdf
  14. https://images1.showcase.com/d2/X2TqPZ_OlNpyupJcMkTbPaoVgxSF6XhTx0Slgao--lE/document.pdf
  15. https://www.dot.state.al.us/publications/Media/pdf/AnnualReports/FY23AnnualReport.pdf
  16. https://hooversun.com/news/5-changes-for-2025-i-459-interchange/
  17. https://www.wbrc.com/2025/01/16/i-459-interchange-project-set-break-ground-this-year/
  18. https://www.dot.state.al.us/news/2023/STPBH-I459%28%29/pdf/FinalReport.pdf
  19. https://governor.alabama.gov/assets/2023/08/ALDOT-Infrastructure-Announcement-Images-Aug-31-2023.pdf
  20. https://hooversun.com/news/construction-for-new-i-459-interchange-slated-to-start-in-20/
  21. https://shelbylegislators.com/construction-for-new-i-459-interchange-slated-to-start-in-2025/
  22. https://www.al.com/news/2023/01/hoover-approves-120-million-plan-for-new-i-459-interchange.html
  23. https://citizenportal.ai/articles/6499520/Hoover-City/Shelby-County/Alabama/Hoover-council-approves-232000-change-order-for-I459-Exit-9-project-after-resident-questions-pace-and-cost
  24. https://www.dot.state.al.us/news/2024/HPPP1602%28531%29/pdf/Corrido_%2520Map.pdf
  25. https://abc3340.com/news/local/alabama-sen-britt-highlights-progress-on-birmingham-northern-beltline-project-may-2025-state-routes-75-and-79-in-pinson-52-mile-interstate-422-i-459-interchange-near-bessemer
  26. https://www.wbrc.com/2025/05/29/sen-katie-britt-jefferson-county-leaders-say-northern-beltline-project-making-progress/
  27. https://birminghamwatch.org/2025/11/04/northern-beltline-is-more-than-a-pipe-dream-jeffco-commissioners-told/
  28. https://www.interstate-guide.com/i-422-al/
  29. https://www.al.com/news/2023/04/gov-kay-ivey-announces-construction-will-resume-on-northern-beltline.html
  30. https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2023/01/northern-beltline-will-receive-15-billion-in-funding-through-2045.html
  31. https://www.cbs42.com/news/completed-northern-beltline-expected-to-increase-business-save-lives-in-jefferson-county/
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