Birmingham Al. Anyone live there? Highway Links?

[PAUL161]

I'm wondering if and when their going to tie 78 to I-65 or I-20? Hard to believe that the connection of 78 to I-20 is as deplorable as it was a couple years ago. I never saw a street in a city as bad as that one. One of my trailers has dropped axles and they scraped in the center due to the ruts in the asphalt being so deep. Were talking in the city now, not out in the boonies. I hope they make the tie ins soon, or I'll have to find another route from 20 to 78.

 

[tony barnhill]

Roads in B'ham aren't gonna get better anytime soon....remember, their mayor was just found guilty & removed from office....they have a temporary mayor & at least 1 city councilmerson may also be going to jail......plus, B'ham is always bottom of the list when it comes to new roads.

 

[mailbox]

I don't know? They (congressmen on Toyota's behalf) have been pushing really hard to get I22 (Hwy 78) up to Interstate specs as soon as they can. I've heard they will try to tap into 65 instead of 20. Of course a bunch of money (congress) will have to appear. Since Toyota has shelved the Blue Springs plant for now, it may just be on the back burner.

 

[PAUL161]

It's a shame that the tie in won't happen soon. In the past few years, 78 has become a highway that's a pleasure to drive. I remember driving that highway when it was all 2 lane, that was a year or two ago, (grin). Here we have major highways very close to one another and you have to go through the woods, so to speak, to get from one to the other. I usually take a northern route in the summer, but a southern route in the winter, for obvious reasons.
Mailbox, I just came through Tupelo about 3 weeks ago and the bypass around the town was a new feature to me. Looked like it was just opened. Nice!

 

[tony barnhill]

Part of 78 (I-22) is 4-laned as much as it will be for some time....at least until they settle the discussion on the Memphis to Atlanta artery...& that ain't gonne be settled anytime soon!

Did you stop at the car museum in Tupelo?

 

[PAUL161]

Re: Birmingham Al. Anyone live there? Highway Link

Did you stop at the car museum in Tupelo?

Not the last time Tony, but I have seen it before. Needless to say we went through all of the displays including the Elvis "Shot Gun House", where he lived as a child. He was my wifes idol as a teenager. She has a collection of every song he ever recorded on tape and some that were never cut for sale to the general public. She was told it was a very unique collection and was offered an undisclosed amount of money for it by a private collector. She won't sell it though, bummer!

 

[tony barnhill]

Re: Birmingham Al. Anyone live there? Highway Link

How'd she like the Elvis collection?

Last time we went to the car museum, as we were getting out of the 380SL to go in, a kid & his father were coming out....kid points & says, "Look Dad, he's driving a museum car!"

Inside I saw the 450SL they have on display....kinda mande me feel good!

 

[PAUL161]

Re: Birmingham Al. Anyone live there? Highway Link

How'd she like the Elvis collection?

She loved it and I thought it was great also. He wasn't "MY" idol, but I could sit listen to his songs all day long. The year before, we visited Grace Land and of course was overwhelmed by the displays, along with the fact it was his home. It was an odd feeling being in the house, as you had the feeling he would walk through the door at any moment. You could almost sense his presence. It's a shame that the mansion sets in a deplorable neighborhood now. Back when it was built, it was a nice place, but now the neighborhood is running down and some people have an uncomfortable feeling about driving there. What a shame.