The Western Bypass System around Northport is designed to ease traffic congestion on the main artery into the city from the north -- US 43 -- as well as the primary east-west route, US 82. 43 meets the six-laned 82 Bypass at Northport City Hall. 82 is called a "bypass" here because a four-laned section from near Tuscaloosa Municipal Airport to I-20/59 and Skyland Blvd was built to carry through traffic past downtown Northport and T-town. Much of this four-laned "bypass" is either six-laned already or is being converted to carry more traffic through town, and is considered by all to be US 82. Only the phone book lists the addresses as 82 Bypass.
The federal government requires that the State Dept. of Transportation present a highway development plan for public scrutiny. A Department spokesman at ALDOT's most recent presaentation admitted that much of the road building going on in Alabama involes building bypasses around bypasses.
Alabama 69 meets 82 east of the 43 intersection, where it joins with 43 South as Lurleen Wallace Blvd. The 43/69 biplex crosses the river at the Hugh Thomas Bridge and becomes I-359 over Tuscaloosa's Southside.
When completed, the WBP will allow traffic to and from Gordo, Reform and Columbus, MS to reach US 43 without encountering the buildup of residential areas and businesses along the US 82 Bypass. Travellers between Fayette and points north best reached via AL 171 will also be able to connect with east Mississippi and I-20 West/59 South more easily using the toll bridge. |
