I-22 finally connects Birmingham to Memphis

Alabama News Center ^ | June 20, 2016 | Tom Cosby and Barry Copeland

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Hidden among all the recent great news affecting Birmingham’s amazing rebirth is the story of the long-awaited opening of I-22, or Corridor X. That’s a shame, because no single success in our recent past may prove to be more important and have greater long-term favorable impact on this region than today’s ribbon cutting.

Since the days of the Roman Empire and the famous Appian Way, roads (and particularly crossroads) have always played a critically important role in the economic growth and prosperity of cities. In the earliest days of our country, waterway intersections were the places where communities grew into towns and cities.

Birmingham itself grew “like magic” from the intersection of two railway lines. In the second half of the 20th century, major cities developed around air connections. Simply put, commerce depends on intersections of roadways, waterways, rail lines and air travel as key elements to transport workers, deliver our food supplies, our raw and finished materials and ship our products.

The opening of the I-22 interchange opens provides us with an interstate link to Memphis. Birmingham now joins the elite ranks of top Southern cities with what’s considered a near-perfect interstate infrastructure. Counting Birmingham, only three cities in the South will now be favored with six interstate spokes emanating from their city center.

Joining us in this exclusive club are Atlanta and Nashville. And here’s the key: no one city has more than six spokes. This bodes extremely well for future business growth and the long-term commercial vitality of the Magic City.

[Mr.Unique]

78 sucked SO bad.

[wardaddy]

In Tupelo

Which btw will be the biggest beneficiary overall

Trust me

[wardaddy]

The hwy tween Hamilton and Birmingham was windy

[KC Burke]

been through Tupelo a couple of times...nice area

[foreverfree]

No.

ff