Governor Bentley Cuts Ribbon on Interstate 22 Interchange

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley joins other state and local dignitaries at a ribbon cutting for the I-22 Interchange at I-65, Monday, June 20, 2016, in Birmingham. The Alabama Department of Transportation has worked on the final phase of the connector since 1984, building through some of the roughest terrain in the state. It will provide access for rural Marion, Walker and Jefferson counties, and should be a boom to economic development in these areas. (Governor's Office, Jamie Martin)
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley joins other state and local dignitaries at a ribbon cutting for the I-22 Interchange at I-65, Monday, June 20, 2016, in Birmingham. The Alabama Department of Transportation has worked on the final phase of the connector since 1984, building through some of the roughest terrain in the state. It will provide access for rural Marion, Walker and Jefferson counties, and should be a boom to economic development in these areas. (Governor's Office, Jamie Martin)

By: Jake Jacobs, Aide-de-camp & Public Affairs Specialist

BIRMINGHAM (Governor’s Office) – Governor Robert Bentley on Monday joined other state and local officials for the ribbon cutting of the Interstate 22 Interchange in Birmingham. Formerly known as Corridor X, sections of the interstate have opened over the past number of years. The ceremony marked the opening of the interchange connecting I-22 with I-65.

Officially designated as I-22 in 2004, construction began on the Corridor X project in 1984. The 98-mile stretch of interstate serves as a connector between Birmingham and Memphis. In Alabama, I-22 spans from the Mississippi state line through Marion, Walker and Jefferson counties to I-65 just north of downtown Birmingham.

“This road provides a major traveling route through some rural areas of Alabama that until now have not had a major interstate within miles,” Governor Bentley said. “One of the great benefits of this project is the economic development opportunities it will provide to some of these rural areas, particularly those in Marion and Walker counties and parts of Jefferson County that have been previously inaccessible to major industries.”

Over a 25 year period, approximately 1,164 tracts of property right-of-way were acquired at a cost of more than $87 million. Overall, the Corridor X project cost slightly more than $1 billion. In Alabama alone, the interstate includes 15 bridges and 14 ramps.

Corridor X was originally included in the Interstate and Defense Highway plans during the 1930s. It wasn’t until 1965 that interest in the project was reinvigorated, and in 1978 it was included in the Appalachian Development Highway Program.

“Although this project has taken many years to get to this point, I am proud of all the hard work from the dedicated Department of Transportation staff and the local, state and federal partners that have made today possible,” Governor Bentley said. “The foundation of my Great State 2019 plan is a targeted focus on both rural areas and economic development. This project transcends those goals and includes opportunities for advancement in other areas such as access to broadband and rural health care.”

The Governor in February presented his Great State 2019 plan during his State of the State address. The plan includes The Governor’s agenda priorities for the remainder of his term in 2019 when Alabama will celebrate its bicentennial anniversary of statehood.

The agenda priorities include Investing in Alabama’s Education, Increasing the Number of Health Professionals in Rural Areas, Addressing the Prison Problem with Long-term Solutions and Alabama’s HOPE (Helping Our People Excel) Through Broadband. Other priority initiatives include the Gulf State Park Project, Supporting Our Veterans, Assessing Our Water Resources, Supporting Small Business Development and Success, The Alabama Transportation Institute and Assessing Affordable Coastal Insurance Options.

The Governor’s Great State 2019 Plan can be found here.

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06-20-2016 Governor Cuts Ribbon at I-22/I-65 Interchange

Provided by the Office of the Governor of Alabama | governor.alabama.gov