How eerie that this was uploaded 22 days before the events of 4/27/11. Drove the stretch of 65 from Huntsville (where my uncle resides) to Birmingham on way home to Dallas three weeks later, and just awestruck of the devastation I saw just alongside the interstate (especially around the US 31- Fultondale exit in Northern Birmingham)...
Wow. I can't believe how green and hilly it is along I-65 thru Birmingham; you would think that one is driving thru a mostly rural forest, and not thru the heart of a metro area with approximately 1.2 million people. Such a scenic ride. Quite a bit of traffic too, from I-459 to Downtown; I can see why it needs to be widened. I can't quite pinpoint it, but there's enough variety (with a catchy song to go along with the video) to qualify this video in my 'favorites' list!
wow, awesome! the construction you see near 459 until 31 has been completed; it was expanded like you said it needed to be. for the longest time, it had a feature i had never seen employed before: they took a southbound lane and made it northbound and then later vice versa.
@dabeez68 Thanks, and that is an excellent driving song. The issue I have is that the live version is better than the studio version BUT live songs do not work well with these types of videos. I have considered the studio version in past videos and it could eventually make it's way in to one but the timing and such have to be right.
@Kingcire72x That song is just a 10-12 second loop I found in Garage Band (music software for the Mac) not sure where it originally came from but I've heard it used in a couple commercials on radio/TV after I started using it. Thanks for watching by the way.
Thanks. I'm still learning on the MacBook Pro...was a PC forever. Hope to do as well as you. My videos will be posted from behind the wheel of a Kenworth w9 (a little higher perspective, but hopefully interesting). Thanks for the reply
ALDOT is Building new on/off ramps in the downtown/Malfunction Junction area. The existing junction will not be replaced or improved. The I-20/59 EB viaducts from Malfunction Junction to just past the Red Mountain Expressway past the BJCC will start to be replaced late this year/early next year. Former Governor George Wallace instructed ALDOT back in the day to construct I-20/59 & I-65 so as to take out as many homes belonging to area rights workers as possible.
I've never honestly cared for Alabama's roads (or the state itself), but this looked like a really fun stretch to drive. The shots of the signs are really nice too. Do you take them from the video or shoot them with a separate camera? Also, great Billy Idol song! I wasn't aware he came out with an album recently.
@tnriverrats Thanks, I'm driving an Acura TL in this video. I use a Final Cut Express 4 on a MacBook Pro to make these videos. Hope you enjoy your MBP as much as I do mine!
Hi again ,Freewayjim ,thanks for your video ! Just a question : have you the right to overtake a car by the right side in the States ? Forbidden in France !
Jim, what are you driving. not a big rig, i guess. Love your videos. What are you using to edit? I just got a MacBook Pro and am hoping to do some waaaay better videos than I have in the pas.
@CALZOLA Illinois has a law that prohibits drivers from holding up traffic by driving slowly in the left lane, in effect, the law fines a person for being passed on the right side.
The entire transportation system of Alabama could use an overhaul, but at least we're not Mississippi. You always know when the cross the state border, and it's not because of the "Mississippi Welcomes You" sign.
What's the major problem with the malfunction junction? Capacity or design? Is it because there is a left exit? The design is compact and relatively simple. Is it a familiarity problem?
@MingGuoLi The left is the fast/passing lane, having people slowing down to exit and enter the highway would cause accidents, 95% of the exits in the country are on the right, it is what people are used to and it's much safer.
@Freewayjim What's wrong with putting exits on the left? Wouldn't it be bad to pile all the exits on the right, especially with such a small amount of space?
@UsonianAC That law is good and bad. Good because there wouldn't be left-lane hogs, just like there are all over the country. Bad because they shouldn't fine you if you get passed by someone on the right. What if there was someone driving 130 and they had to pass on the right? I bet that would be an exception, but I'm not sure, cause I don't live in IL(I'll be filming there this summer, though).
Excellent work as always... can't wait to see the downtown tour.
@FreewayAndrew Thanks, yes the I-22 Interchange should be pretty cool.
Great video, Jim! Totally rocked. Looking forward to seeing I-22 completed.
Now this is some serious freewaytainment! Love the spacious setup north of I-20.
Great video, can't wait to see the I-22 interchange when it's all set and done.
i just love driving interstates with so much green (trees and grass) surrounding them. I enjoyed this video. 5 stars!
How eerie that this was uploaded 22 days before the events of 4/27/11. Drove the stretch of 65 from Huntsville (where my uncle resides) to Birmingham on way home to Dallas three weeks later, and just awestruck of the devastation I saw just alongside the interstate (especially around the US 31- Fultondale exit in Northern Birmingham)...
Very nice video's man. Love the insertions and add-ons. It's nice to see something different from the masses!
Thank you very much!
@Freewayjim I understand what you mean. Keep up the good work, I enjoy watching your videos!
Very cool video. Very intesting. Good work as always ...
@aswchris Thanks, that should be a nice interchange when it's finished, the top ramp will be 85 feet tall.
Wow. I can't believe how green and hilly it is along I-65 thru Birmingham; you would think that one is driving thru a mostly rural forest, and not thru the heart of a metro area with approximately 1.2 million people. Such a scenic ride. Quite a bit of traffic too, from I-459 to Downtown; I can see why it needs to be widened. I can't quite pinpoint it, but there's enough variety (with a catchy song to go along with the video) to qualify this video in my 'favorites' list!
I find it hilarious how I-65, an X5 Interstate, ends in the north at an intersection and turns into an industrial driveway on the opposite side.
@CALZOLA Thanks, I believe that in Massachusetts it's legal but it's not enforced nationwide.
@georgiaroadgeek Thanks, I'm looking forward to the I-22 completion too, something else to video in Birmingham!
@quijeros I-95/I-695 northeast of Baltimore used to be just like that, it is now in the process of being converted in to a 4-Level stack.
I always liked the Birmingham area scenery, especially I-459 and I-20 east of town.
@FreewayBrent Thanks Brent, it is an interesting ride, glad you enjoyed it!
wow, awesome! the construction you see near 459 until 31 has been completed; it was expanded like you said it needed to be. for the longest time, it had a feature i had never seen employed before: they took a southbound lane and made it northbound and then later vice versa.
Charlotte has one of those same "malfunction Junctions" Or cheap alternative to the 4 stack by eliminating all loop ramps without a stacking.
Man I love that city, cuty little skyline ... it is awesome, sometimes hilly but alot of trees everywhere. 5 stars.
Freeway Jim, you must do I 49 south between the Missouri line to Ft Smith Arkansas...this is one beautiful stretch of highway.
I'm sure it is, probably someplace I won't get to though, kind of off the beaten path and I have no reason to go there.
@HighwayStar1982 Thanks, yes indeed the signs are a chore to do! That road is not a lot of fun to drive but it is somewhat interesting.
@dabeez68 Thanks, and that is an excellent driving song. The issue I have is that the live version is better than the studio version BUT live songs do not work well with these types of videos. I have considered the studio version in past videos and it could eventually make it's way in to one but the timing and such have to be right.
@Kingcire72x That song is just a 10-12 second loop I found in Garage Band (music software for the Mac) not sure where it originally came from but I've heard it used in a couple commercials on radio/TV after I started using it. Thanks for watching by the way.
Thanks. I'm still learning on the MacBook Pro...was a PC forever. Hope to do as well as you. My videos will be posted from behind the wheel of a Kenworth w9 (a little higher perspective, but hopefully interesting). Thanks for the reply
ALDOT is Building new on/off ramps in the downtown/Malfunction Junction area. The existing junction will not be replaced or improved. The I-20/59 EB viaducts from Malfunction Junction to just past the Red Mountain Expressway past the BJCC will start to be replaced late this year/early next year. Former Governor George Wallace instructed ALDOT back in the day to construct I-20/59 & I-65 so as to take out as many homes belonging to area rights workers as possible.
Yes, I filmed them in January, see videos 18-01 through 18-03.
Move forward they’re rebuilding a lot of the highways as we speak haha
I've never honestly cared for Alabama's roads (or the state itself), but this looked like a really fun stretch to drive. The shots of the signs are really nice too. Do you take them from the video or shoot them with a separate camera? Also, great Billy Idol song! I wasn't aware he came out with an album recently.
@tnriverrats Thanks, I'm driving an Acura TL in this video. I use a Final Cut Express 4 on a MacBook Pro to make these videos. Hope you enjoy your MBP as much as I do mine!
@CosmoPhotography Thanks, I shoot the signs while driving, 13 years of practice :)
Birmingham is getting a much needed remake, you should check it out in a couple months👌🏾👌🏾
I just posted three brand new videos from Birmingham in the past three weeks, Videos 18-01 to 18-03, check them out.
Freewayjim Didn't know. Will do, thanks!
@MingGuoLi The general design and left exits, it should be rebuilt with high speed ramps entering and exiting from the right.
@tnriverrats Good luck with the MBP, will look forward to checking out your vids.
@MrsShirotora This is true, noticed that today on I-22/US-78, pavement in Miss is not very good.
@ScrewdUPClickV2 The connector from I-22 to US-31 will be the 4th/lower level.
Hi again ,Freewayjim ,thanks for your video ! Just a question : have you the right to overtake a car by the right side in the States ? Forbidden in France !
Jim, what are you driving. not a big rig, i guess. Love your videos. What are you using to edit? I just got a MacBook Pro and am hoping to do some waaaay better videos than I have in the pas.
The portion of I-65 that gose to Lakeshore Pkwy EXIT 255 is still 3 lanes
@CALZOLA Illinois has a law that prohibits drivers from holding up traffic by driving slowly in the left lane, in effect, the law fines a person for being passed on the right side.
@UsonianAC Thanks for your information !
The entire transportation system of Alabama could use an overhaul, but at least we're not Mississippi. You always know when the cross the state border, and it's not because of the "Mississippi Welcomes You" sign.
What's the major problem with the malfunction junction? Capacity or design? Is it because there is a left exit? The design is compact and relatively simple. Is it a familiarity problem?
@MingGuoLi The left is the fast/passing lane, having people slowing down to exit and enter the highway would cause accidents, 95% of the exits in the country are on the right, it is what people are used to and it's much safer.
Very nice! how about headingout to the highway by judas priest...good driving song!
@Freewayjim What's wrong with putting exits on the left? Wouldn't it be bad to pile all the exits on the right, especially with such a small amount of space?
Freeway jim i was wondering if you could make a video of huntsville àlabama.
That's really off the beaten path for me, only been through there once. If the situation arises I would but I have no idea when that might happen.
@VaFreeways Thanks, there may be two tours, I have a lot of footage to go through.
@ScrewdUPClickV2 Thanks, it's not easy!
You seem to be making your way through traffic quick. How many MPH do you go over 10-15? Just wondering.
@tigerwesti1 Thanks!
@dabeez68 Thank you!
Been done and finished.
I-22 also.
Hey Jim would love to see some videos about I-22........
Not a lot to see honestly, if I'm in that area with the camera again I may get a few miles of it.
@RoyalGrigsby That will be seen in a future video.
@adogg619 Thank you!
Hi Jim Ihave been a fan for a while ...I always wanted to know ..What is that tune with the flutes playing in the intro of your newer videos???
Birmingham (Bessemer to be exact): The hometown of my boy Jameis Winston! Go Noles and Bucs!!
Bessemer is also where two-sport athlete Bo Jackson was born!
@UsonianAC That law is good and bad. Good because there wouldn't be left-lane hogs, just like there are all over the country. Bad because they shouldn't fine you if you get passed by someone on the right. What if there was someone driving 130 and they had to pass on the right? I bet that would be an exception, but I'm not sure, cause I don't live in IL(I'll be filming there this summer, though).
@platformusa2 Around 10 over.
@0marigolds Thank you madam snowflake :)
It's being expanded and repaved as we speak.
Are the lines moving or is it me?
Is this your job?
I-22 is now open but it a little boring lol. Not really of towns from Birmingham to Memphis.
Hey I live in Birmingham
No, just a hobby.
Very nice! how about headingout to the highway by judas priest...good driving song!