STATE OF ALABAMA

Office of the Governor


BOB RILEY
Governor
 

Press Office

November 14, 2007

Governor Riley Opens 26 Miles of Corridor X

Gov. Riley speaks at the ceremony where 26 additional miles of Future Interstate 22 were opened to the public.
 

WALKER COUNTY—Governor Bob Riley today was on hand to open 26 miles of the future Interstate 22, known as Corridor X.  The 26 miles that were opened today go from Jasper to Graysville. 

“We have all seen the evidence of Alabama’s exponential economic growth over recent years,” said Governor Riley.  “New businesses, new industry, and a new way of thinking are driving Alabama.  This interstate, when completed, will be essential in helping Alabama recruit even more business, because it will allow for more open channels of transportation.”

When completed, the entire route will connect Memphis to Birmingham, with a total cost of approximately $1.3 billion. The 26 miles opened today cost $300 million.  About 96 miles of the route will be located in Alabama.  Construction began on the project in 1979. 

More work has been completed on the project in the past five years than in the previous 25 years combined.  With today’s opening of 26 miles, combined with the thirty miles opened in 2005, only about five miles remain to be opened.

Governor Riley stressed the importance of working together with federal officials in order to make this happen, saying, “The federal government and state government have worked diligently over the past few years to make some much needed progress on this project.  Working together is absolutely necessary when dealing with a project of this enormity, and I’d like to thank everyone who has joined together to make this interstate a reality.”