RETURN TO MAIN NORTHERN BELTLINE PAGE
Media Coverage (just a small sampling)
Comeback Town: Not the best way to spend $5 Billion on Birmingham (8/21/2023)
https://www.al.com/opinion/2023/08/comeback-town-not-best-way-to-spend-5-billion-on-birmingham.html
Infrastructure bill winners: Highways conceived decades ago (8/24/2021)
https://www.eenews.net/articles/infrastructure-bill-winners-highways-conceived-decades-ago/
Northern Beltline or I-20/59 relocation: Which would be a better investment for Birmingham? (5/26/2016)
http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/pulse/poll/northern-beltline-or-i-2059-relocation-which-would-be-a-better-investment-for-birmingham/19855882
50 things we could do instead of the Northern Beltline for half a billion less (5/18/2016)
http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/05/unnecessary_northern_beltline.html
What the Hell is Kakistocracy? (5/15/2016)
http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/05/what_the_hell_is_a_kakistocrac.html
Take Politics out of ALDOT (2/18/2016)
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/opinion/readers/2016/02/18/take-politics-out-aldot/80497476/
Court rejects challenges to $5.4 billion Northern Beltline highway project (1/21/2016)
www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2016/01/court_rejects_challenges_to_54.html
Court rules in favor of Birmingham’s Flawed Northern Beltline Project (1/20/2016)
http://www.southeastgreen.com/index.php/news/alabama/14863-court-rules-in-favor-of-birmingham-s-flawed-northern-beltline-project
Federal cash sustains dream of freeway through Ala. woods (12/23/2015)
http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2015/12/23/stories/1060029944
Birmingham’s Northern Beltline ranks among nation’s worst road projects (12/11/2015)
https://www.southernenvironment.org/news-and-press/news-feed/birminghams-northern-beltline-ranks-among-nations-worst-road-projects
Why Alabama’s infrastructure got a C- from the ASCE (12/10/2015)
http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/news/2015/12/10/why-alabamas-infrastructure-got-a-c-from-the-asce.html?ana=e_du_pub&s=article_du&ed=2015-12-10&u=zCaEvvqTOo7LzcQJQKj1%2BjIdmSR&t=1449840350
Alabama project lands at No. 7 on list of nation’s biggest tax boondoggles (12/10/2015)
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/12/alabama_project_lands_at_no_7.html
Who gets rich from the Northern Beltline? (12/1/2015)
http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/12/who_gets_rich_from_the_norther.html#incart_river_home
The 7th biggest boondoggle in the U.S. is Alabama’s (11/25/2010)
http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/11/the_7th_biggest_boondoggle_in.html
Birmingham’s Northern Beltline boondoggle $ucks: opinion (1/7/2015)
http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/01/the_northern_beltline_boondogg.html#incart_river
What is as costly as the Keystone Pipeline? It’s Alabama’s biggest boondoggle (1/6/2015)
http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/01/what_is_as_costly_as_the_keyst.html#incart_2box
Long Range Plan for Birmingham Region Would Allocate More than Half of Available Funding for Transportation Improvements to Northern Beltline (11/19/2014)
http://www.southeastgreen.com/index.php/news/alabama/12618-long-range-plan-for-birmingham-region-would-allocate-more-than-half-of-available-funding-for-transportation-improvements-to-northern-beltline
Northern Beltline construction scheduled to begin (2/20/2014)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2014/02/northern_beltline_construction.html
More to transportation than simply asphalt and more highways (Opinion from Chervis Isom)
http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/12/more_to_transportation_than_si.html
Black Warrior Riverkeeper challenges Northern Beltline permit in federal lawsuit (10/25/2013)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/10/black_warrior_riverkeeper_chal.html
Politics Drives Road Building in Alabama (Letter on AL.com) (10/11/2013)
www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/10/politics_drives_road_building.html
The Northern Beltline: Still Not a Done Deal or a Good Idea (10/4/2013)
https://www.southernenvironment.org/news-and-press/press-releases/the-northern-beltline-still-not-a-done-deal-or-a-good-idea
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approves permit for first segment of Northern Beltline (10/1/2013)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/09/us_army_corps_of_engineers_app.html
New cost estimate puts Northern Beltline price at about 5.45 billion (8/20/2013)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/08/new_cost_estimate_puts_norther.html
Bachus: Streamline approval process for Northern Beltline, other projects (7/12/2013)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/07/bachus_streamline_approval_pro.html
The downtown I-20/59 project deserves state interest (6/18/2013)
http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/06/the_downtown_i-2059_project_de.html
Report: Alabama road conditions cost drivers $530M a year in vehicle repairs (3/20/13)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/03/report_alabama_road_conditions.html
(Alabama road maintenance doesn’t get proper funding because the behemoth Beltline steals the majority of dwindling federal funding.)
Study: Traffic delays last longer, less predictable and affect weekends (2/7/13)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/02/study_traffic_delays_last_long.html
(When ALDOT can’t afford to make substantive changes needed for traffic flow, road maintenance, and safety, the last thing we need is a grossly-overpriced, environmentally-destructive, Northern Beltline which the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham predicted to help traffic flow by a mere 1-3%.)
U.S. keeps building new highways while letting old ones crumble (2/3/2013)
https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article24743959.html
Meet the $4.7 Billion Birmingham Highway Only Cronyism Could Build (1/28/13)
http://dc.streetsblog.org/2013/01/28/meet-the-4-7-billion-birmingham-highway-only-cronyism-could-build/
Northern Beltline is too expensive (1/25/13)
Northern Beltline is too expensive_1.25.13
The Northern Beltline and the lost art of debate (11/15/12)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2012/11/the_northern_beltline_and_the.html
Beltline money could be better spent (10/17/12)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2012/10/your_view_beltline_money_could.html
Northern Beltline’s Era has Long Passed (10/8/12)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2012/10/opinion_from_gil_rogers_beltin.html
Northern Beltline proponents blast environmental groups over ALDOT lawsuit (10/1/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/10/northern_beltline_proponents_b.html
EPA questions Northern Beltline proposal (9/14/12)
http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/news/2012/09/14/epa-questions-northern-beltline-proposal.html
EPA urges Army Corps of Engineers to reject Northern Beltline permit (9/13/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/09/epa_urges_army_corps_of_engine.html
ALDOT to benefit from languishing federal earmarks (8/26/12)
http://blog.al.com/sweethome/2012/08/aldot_to_benefit_from_languish.html
EPA wants more study before it issues construction OK for Birmingham Northern Beltline (8/22/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/08/epa_wants_more_study_before_it.html
Transportation bill eliminates designated source of funding for Northern Beltline, but keeps it on track (7/23/12)
http://blog.al.com/sweethome/2012/07/transportation_bill_eliminates.html
You can be for both business and environment in Alabama (7/19/12)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2012/07/your_view_you_can_be_for_both.html
ALDOT files final permit to begin work on Northern Beltline (7/6/12)
http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/print-edition/2012/07/06/aldot-files-final-permit-to-begin-work.html?page=all
Northern Beltline falls short on economic rewards (7/1/12)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2012/07/view_point_northern_beltline_f.html
Latest report turns thumbs down on Northern Beltline but not all our commenters agree (6/20/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/06/latest_report_turns_thumbs_dow.html
Report says economic benefits of Birmingham’s Northern Beltline exaggerated (6/20/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/06/report_says_economic_benefits.html
Study questions economic impact of Northern Beltline (6/19/12)
http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/news/2012/06/19/study-questions-economic-impact-of.html?page=all
Birmingham Water Works to hire economic development director (5/18/12)
http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2012/05/birmingham_water_works_to_hire.html
Elevated toll road plan for US 280 still up in the air, Alabama DOT chief says (5/8/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/05/elevated_toll_road_plan_still.html
Northern Beltline survey saddens residents along path and divides our commenters (5/1/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/05/northern_beltline_survey_sadde.html
Environmental groups revise lawsuit concerning Birmingham’s Northern Beltline (5/1/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/05/environmenal_groups_revise_law.html
Pork money driving Northern Beltline (4/30/12)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2012/04/your_view_pork_money_driving_n.html
Northern Beltline is multimillion-dollar boondoggle (4/28/12)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2012/04/your_view_northern_beltline_is_2.html
More discussion needed about Birmingham’s Northern Beltline (4/24/12)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2012/04/your_view_more_discussion_in_n.html
U.S. House Democrats target Northern Beltline as wasteful boondoggle (4/18/12)
http://blog.al.com/sweethome/2012/04/us_house_democrats_target_nort.html
Funding for Alabama’s Northern Beltline Uncertain (4/15/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/04/funding_for_alabamas_northern.html
Routes for bypassing downtown Birmingham possible, but all come with baggage (4/15/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/04/routes_for_bypassing_downtown.html
Questions persist as Northern Beltline construction proceeds (4/15/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/04/questions_persist_as_northern.html
Alabamians love federal pork, especially in form of Northern Beltline ( 4/6/12)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2012/04/your_view_alabamians_love_fede.html
Feds approve Alabama’s environmental evaluation of first leg of Birmingham’s Northern Beltline (3/30/12)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/03/feds_approve_alabamas_environm.html
Jefferson County economic development authority seeks more land for development (3/18/12)
http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2012/03/jefferson_county_economic_deve.html
Birmingham Business Alliance carrying wish list to Washington, D.C. (3/6/12)
http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2012/03/birmingham_business_alliance_c_3.html
Birmingham Business Alliance to support beltline, NIH funding in 2012 (12/8/11)
http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2011/12/bba_to_support_beltline_nih_fu.html
Jefferson County’s proposed Northern Beltline questions remain unanswered (11/27/11)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/11/viewpoints_jefferson_countys_p.html
ALDOT to delay construction of Northern Beltline for in-depth study of route (11/15/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/11/alabama_department_of_transpor_7.html
Birmingham’s Northern Beltline will benefit only a small group (10/17/11)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/10/your_view_birminghams_northern.html
Northern Beltline hearing produces few local voices (10/5/11)
https://www.blountcountian.com/articles/northern-beltline-hearingproduces-few-local-voices/
Northern Beltline stimulates … questions (10/2/11)
http://blog.al.com/archiblog/2011/10/northern_beltline_stimulates_q.html
The Northern Beltline, Urban Sprawl and You (9/26/11)
http://macklyons.blogspot.com/2011/09/northern-beltline-urban-sprawl-and-you.html
Northern Beltline route details released by Alabama Department of Transportation prior to hearings (9/22/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/09/northern_beltline_route_detail.html
Revised Northern beltline plan for metro Birmingham wins little support from commenters (poll) (9/20/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/09/revised_northern_beltline_plan.html
Read ALDOT’s full Northern Beltline study (9/19/11)
http://blog.al.com/bn/2011/09/read_aldots_full_northern_belt.html
ALDOT Releases New Study of Birmingham Northern Beltline (9/19/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/09/alabama_department_of_transpor_6.html
Public comment sought on Northern Beltline in 2 hearings (8/31/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/08/public_comment_sought_on_north.html
Birmingham’s look at Fort Wayne, Ind., should also show beltlines aren’t economic engines (8/20/11)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/08/your_view_birminghams_look_at.html
Alabama fish added to endangered species list (8/10/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/08/post_666.html
Time to put the brakes on the Northern Beltline (6/23/11)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/01/viewpoints_time_to_put_the_bra.html
Spinning a Web (6/9/11)
http://www.bwcitypaper.com/Articles-i-2011-06-09-242015.113121-Spinning-a-Web.html
“The deceptive public relations tactics of the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Coalition for Regional Transportation reveal the character of the Northern Beltline’s most ardent supporters.”
Beltline splitting family property, or taking it altogether, in northern Jefferson County (4/30/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/04/beltline_splitting_family_prop.html
Lawsuit to halt metro Birmingham’s Northern Beltline reveals deep divides among commenters (4/12/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/04/lawsuit_to_halt_metro_birmingh.html
Black Warrior Riverkeeper Northern Beltline lawsuit asks for halt to work, alternatives (4/12/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/04/black_warrior_riverkeeper_nort.html
Environmental groups sue to block Northern Beltline (4/1/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/04/environmental_groups_sue_to_ov.html
USS Real Estate has benefited from taxpayer benevolence (3/28/11)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/03/your_view_uss_real_estate_has.html
Tom Howard of USS Real Estate talks about largest landowner in county (3/20/11)
http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2011/03/on_the_record_tom_howard_of_us.html
Ground should be broken next spring for the first construction phase (3/15/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/03/i-65_to_be_rebuilt_in_hoover_a.html
Costly Northern Beltline benefits big business (2/28/11)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/02/your_view_costly_northern_belt.html
Does the new price tag on the Northern Beltline make it too expensive to build? (2/28/11)
http://blog.al.com/jkennedy/2011/02/joey_kennedy_is_the_new_price.html
OUR VIEW: New higher cost estimate for the Northern Beltline should give region’s leaders cause to reassess project to make sure it’s the best use of $4.7 billion (2/28/11)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/02/our_view_new_higher_cost_estim.html
Better use for billions than Northern Beltline (2/25/11)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/02/your_view_better_use_for_billi.html
Birmingham’s Northern Beltline cost estimate soars to $4.7 billion (2/23/11)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/02/birminghams_northern_beltline.html
OUR VIEW: Alabamians go lobbying for federal transportation dollars — and rural areas go lacking — even as Florida’s governor says no thanks to billions from Uncle Sam (2/21/11)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/02/our_view_alabamians_go_lobbyin.html
No legislative roadblock to Northern Beltline, key Republican lawmaker in Washington promises (2/17/11)
http://blog.al.com/sweethome/2011/02/key_republican_lawmaker_in_was.html
Birmingham Business Alliance plans D.C. trip on key issues (2/8/11)
http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2011/02/birmingham_business_alliance_p_2.html
Time to put the brakes on the Northern Beltline (1/23/11)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/01/viewpoints_time_to_put_the_bra.html
Gov.-elect Robert Bentley promises decisive leadership on issues important to Birmingham (12/14/10)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/12/governor-elect_promises_decisi.html
Shelby’s not happy about the earmark ban (11/17/10)
http://blog.al.com/sweethome/2010/11/shelbys_not_happy_about_the_ea.html
OUR VIEW: Now comes the hard part as the Birmingham Business Alliance begins building a better seven-county region (9/26/10)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2010/09/our_view_now_comes_the_hard_pa.html
Group formed only to promote road, not regional transportation (8/7/10)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2010/08/your_views_group_formed_only_t.html
Northern Beltline is not an economic savior (8/1/10)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2010/08/your_views_northern_beltline_i.html
Frustrating to see road juggernaut push along 1960s-style development (7/31/10)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2010/07/your_views_frustrating_to_see.html
Efficient transit is what we need (7/25/10)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2010/07/viewpoints_efficient_transit_i.html
Shelby, Bachus push Northern Beltline project (6/28/10)
http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/stories/2010/06/28/daily7.html
Catching the high-speed rail wave (6/27/10)
http://blog.al.com/elard/2010/06/eddie_lard_catching_the_high-s.html
Don’t focus solely on road building (6/20/10)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2010/06/my_view_dont_focus_solely_on_r.html
Plan approved for Jefferson, Shelby road work through 2035 (6/9/10)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/06/plan_for_jefferson_shelby_road.html
OUR VIEW: Before we get too far along in the building of the Northern Beltline, we should have a plan for what type of growth we want (5/16/10)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2010/05/our_view_before_we_get_too_far.html
Birmingham-area plan would drop 40 road projects for lack of funds (4/22/10)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/04/birmingham-area_plan_would_dro.html
Alabama road projects need $4.3 billion (3/26/10)
http://blog.al.com/drivers-side/2010/03/alabama_road_projects_need_43_billion.html
Birmingham Business Alliance’s top lawyer talks shop (2/8/10)
http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2010/02/post_46.html
League of Women Voters hears pros, cons of Northern Beltline for metro Birmingham (1/28/10)
http://blog.al.com/drivers-side/2010/01/league_of_women_voters_hears_pros_cons_of_northern_beltline_for_metro_birmingham.html
Northern Beltline: Questions for ALDOT (1/1/10)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2010/01/your_views_northern_beltline_q.html
Northern Beltline Work Set to Begin (12/13/09)
blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/12/northern_beltline_work_set_to.html
Northern Beltline debate comes amid calls for delay, study (12/13/09)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-stories/2009/12/northern_beltline_debate_comes.html
First segment of Northern Beltline would connect 2 rural roads (12/13/09)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-stories/2009/12/first_segment_of_northern_belt.html
Northern Beltline’s fate hinges on transportation bill in Congress (12/12/09)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-stories/2009/12/northern_beltlines_fate_hinges.html
Critical habitat status eyed for Turkey Creek (12/5/09)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-stories/2009/12/critical_habitat_status_eyed_f.html
New Alabama road projects come to halt (10/11/09)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/10/new_alabama_road_projects_come.html
BLUEPRINT AMERICA – PBS reports on infrastructure: [VIDEO] Zombie Highways (8/11/09)
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/reports/america-in-gridlock/video-zombie-highways/778/
[VIDEO] Zombie Highways: How to build a Zombie Highway (8/10/09)
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/reports/america-in-gridlock/video-zombie-highways-how-to-build-a-zombie-highway/785/
[VIDEO] Zombie Highways: Highway vs. Nature (8/10/09)
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/reports/america-in-gridlock/video-zombie-highways-highway-vs-nature/796/
[VIDEO] Rep. Jim Oberstar on the transportation bill (7/22/09)
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/reports/america-in-gridlock/interview-rep-jim-oberstar-on-the-transportation-bill/769/
[VIDEO] Overview – America in Gridlock (10/15/08)
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/reports/america-in-gridlock/overview-america-in-gridlock/18/
‘Zombie highways,’ mass transit failures: PBS ‘News Hour’ takes look at Birmingham (8/6/09)
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/08/zombie_highways_mass_transit_f.html
Northern Beltline: Money drowns out reason (5/10/09)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2009/05/your_views_northern_beltline_m.html
U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby pledges federal aid for Northern Beltline project near Birmingham, AL (5/1/09)
U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby pledges federal aid for Northern Beltline_5.1.09
Beltline as it is now envisioned would endanger the Cahaba River (12/19/08)
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2008/12/beltline_as_it_is_now_envision_1.html
Those with juice put on squeeze (10/26/08)
http://blog.al.com/archiblog/2008/10/those_with_juice_put_on_squeez.html
Birmingham chamber creates coalition with goal of fast-tracking Northern Beltline (10/9/08)
Birmingham chamber creates coalition_10.9.08
Northern Beltline Back in the Spotlight (Alabama Construction News – Fall 2008)
AlabamaConstructionNews_NorthernBletline_Fall2008
Beltline opponents want to save water, resources (12/16/07)
http://blog.al.com/bn/2007/12/beltline_opponents_want_to_sav.html
Dumb and Dumber (11/6/07)
blog.al.com/jdcrowe/2007/11/dumb_and_dumber.html
Regional Transportation Plan Needs Wise Approach (9/9/07)
blog.al.com/bn/2007/09/regional_transportation_plan_n.html
Sen. Shelby continues to bring home transportation bacon (9/4/03)
http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/stories/2003/09/01/daily22.html
Can’t Get There from Here – or Can We? (FORUM for Applied Research and Policy – Summer 2001)
kulash article_Summer2001
Land rush may ensue when road’s route announced this summer (5/13/01)
http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/stories/2001/05/14/focus1.html