Coalition for Regional Transportation urges Jefferson County to preserve Northern BeltLine route, cites $60 million federal funding limitation
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Summary
Michael Staley of the Coalition for Regional Transportation urged the county to preserve the planned Northern BeltLine route, saying the project has $60 million in federal funds that are restricted to the Appalachian Development Highway System and that preserving the route is important for emergency access and congestion relief.
Michael Staley, representing the Coalition for Regional Transportation, addressed the commission to thank county leaders for their work on planning for the Lower/Northern BeltLine and to urge preservation of the route so the project can move forward when additional funds become available.
Staley said the coalition and local leadership secured $60,000,000 in federal funding that "may only be spent on the Appalachian Development Highway System," meaning those funds cannot be reallocated to other projects or other states. He described work by ALDOT to move toward final environmental approval and noted a section expected to open to traffic in 2026.
Staley framed preservation as a regional priority with public-safety and congestion benefits, saying the completed belt line will improve access to emergency care and move truck traffic out of downtown Birmingham. He offered to answer questions and thanked the commission for its cooperation with planning and zoning to keep the route available for future construction.
