What is the Northern Beltline?
The Northern Beltline is a 52.5 mile interstate that will run through northern Jefferson County. Currently, Birmingham is one of the few cities of its size in the U.S. that does not have a complete, connected interstate route to serve its metropolitan area.
After years of work from supporters across the region, construction of the Northern Beltline began in 2014! Moving forward, the people of Birmingham will enjoy significant economic benefits both during and after construction of the Beltline.
According to the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama, the Northern Beltline will create nearly 70,000 new jobs during the construction phase and nearly 21,000 new jobs each year after construction is completed.
The total economic impact of the Northern Beltline is expected to be $7 billion during construction and more than $2 billion each year after it is built. Our tax base will be expanded by growth around the Northern Beltline and its 15 exits.
During the construction period, we will realize nearly $155 million in new tax revenue. After the construction phase, sales, income and property taxes generated by the project will come to $54 million each year.
In addition, completion of the Northern Beltline has overwhelming public support throughout our region. Forty-one cities, three counties, the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB), the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport Authority and the Central Alabama Fire Chiefs Association officially adopted Resolutions of Support for the Northern Beltline.
These resolutions certify the support of more than 300 elected officials and emergency management professionals throughout the region and the hundreds of thousands of citizens they serve.
The Northern Beltline will also help fulfill the transportation needs of the region, allowing traffic to flow more efficiently around and into the City of Birmingham.
The proposed Northern Beltline will:
- Reduce congestion on existing highways by allowing for more efficient traffic flow
- Increase traffic safety by providing an alternate route for trucks and cars traveling through the area
- Improve our air quality by reducing harmful emissions from vehicles caught on congested arteries
This important interstate is a part of the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS), which means the federal government will fund 100% of the project.