U.S. Route 431: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Highway in the United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2013}}
{{Infobox road
{{Infobox road
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|type=US
|type=US
|route=431
|route=431
|map={{maplink-road|frame-height=290|from=U.S. Route 431.map}}
|map=US 431 map.png
|map_custom=yes
|map_notes=US 431 highlighted in red
|length_mi=556
|length_mi=556
|length_ref={{citation needed|date=February 2018}}
|length_ref=<ref name="droz">[http://www.us-highways.com/us1830.htm US Highways from US 1 to US 830] Robert V. Droz</ref>
|spur_of=31
|spur_type=US
|established=January&nbsp;1954<ref name="1954changes">{{cite news |title=U.S. 431, U.S. 280 Markers Now Up |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40873524/us_280431_signed_january_26_1954/ |access-date=December 21, 2019 |work=The Opelika Daily News |date=January 26, 1954 |location=[[Opelika, Alabama]] |page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>
|direction_a=South
|direction_a=South
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|terminus_a={{Jct|state=AL|US|231|US-Bus|231|dab2=Dothan|US-Bus|431|dab3=Dothan}} in [[Dothan, Alabama|Dothan, AL]]
|junction=<!--per [[WP:USRD/STDS]], list only 8–10 total-->{{Plainlist|
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*{{Jct|state=AL|I|85}} in [[Opelika, Alabama|Opelika, AL]]
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*{{Jct|state=AL|I|20}} near [[Oxford, Alabama|Oxford, AL]]
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*{{Jct|state=AL|I|59}} in [[Gadsden, Alabama|Gadsden, AL]]
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*{{Jct|state=AL|I|565}} in [[Huntsville, Alabama|Huntsville, AL]]
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*{{Jct|state=TN|I|840}} in [[Thompson's Station, Tennessee|Thompson's Station, TN]]
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*{{Jct|state=TN|I|440}} in [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville, TN]]
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*{{Jct|state=TN|I|40|I|65}} in Nashville, TN
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*{{Jct|state=TN|I|24}} in Nashville, TN
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*{{Jct|state=TN|I|24|I|65}} in Nashville, TN
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*{{Jct|state=TN|I|24}} in [[Joelton, Tennessee|Joelton, TN]]
}}
|direction_b=North
|direction_b=North
⚫
|terminus_a={{Jct|state=AL|US|231|US-Bus|231|dab2=Dothan|US-Bus|431|dab3=Dothan}} at [[Dothan, Alabama|Dothan, AL]]
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|junction={{Jct|state=AL|I|85}} at [[Opelika, Alabama|Opelika, AL]]<br>
⚫
{{Jct|state=AL|I|20}} near [[Oxford, Alabama|Oxford, AL]]<br>
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{{Jct|state=AL|I|59}} at [[Gadsden, Alabama|Gadsden, AL]]<br>
⚫
{{Jct|state=AL|I|565}} at [[Huntsville, Alabama|Huntsville, AL]]<br>
⚫
{{Jct|state=TN|TN|840}} at [[Thompson's Station, Tennessee|Thompson's Station, TN]]<br>
⚫
{{Jct|state=TN|I|440}} at [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville, TN]]<br>
⚫
{{Jct|state=TN|I|40|I|65}} at Nashville, TN<br>
⚫
{{Jct|state=TN|I|24}} at Nashville, TN<br>
⚫
{{Jct|state=TN|I|24|I|65}} at Nashville, TN<br>
{{Jct|state=TN|TN|155}} at [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville, TN]]<br>
⚫
{{Jct|state=TN|I|24}} at [[Joelton, Tennessee|Joelton, TN]]<br>
{{jct|state=KY|Parkway|Western Kentucky}} at [[Central City, Kentucky|Central City, KY]]
|terminus_b={{Jct|state=KY|US|60}} at [[Owensboro, Kentucky|Owensboro, KY]]
|terminus_b={{Jct|state=KY|US|60}} at [[Owensboro, Kentucky|Owensboro, KY]]
|states=[[Alabama]], [[Tennessee]], [[Kentucky]]
}}
}}


'''U.S. Route 431''' is a spur of [[U.S. Route 31]]. It currently runs for 556 miles (895&nbsp;km) from [[Owensboro, Kentucky]] at [[U.S. Route 60 in Kentucky|U.S. Route 60]] to [[Dothan, Alabama]], at [[U.S. Route 231]] and [[U.S. Route 84]].
'''U.S. Route&nbsp;431''' ('''US&nbsp;431''') is a spur of [[U.S. Route 31]]. It currently travels for approximately {{convert|556|mi|km}} from [[U.S. Route 231|US&nbsp;231]]/[[Alabama State Route 210]] and [[U.S. Route 231 Business (Dothan, Alabama)|US&nbsp;231 Business]] (US&nbsp;231 Bus.) and [[U.S. Route 431 Business (Dothan, Alabama)|US&nbsp;431 Bus.]] in [[Dothan, Alabama]], to [[Owensboro, Kentucky]], at [[U.S. Route 60|US&nbsp;60]] and [[Kentucky Route 2831]]. The major cities US 431 connects to (from south to north) are Dothan and [[Huntsville, Alabama]], [[Franklin, Tennessee|Franklin]] and [[Nashville, Tennessee]], and [[Owensboro, Kentucky]].


==Route description==
==Route description==
[[Image:Dothan.svg|thumb|left|Map showing the south end in [[Dothan, AL]]]]
[[Image:Dothan.svg|thumb|left|Map showing the south end in [[Dothan, Alabama|Dothan, AL]]]]


===Alabama===
===Alabama===
{{Main|U.S. Route 431 in Alabama}}
{{Main|U.S. Route 431 in Alabama}}
U.S. 431 is paired with unsigned [[Alabama State Route 1|State Route 1]] throughout almost all of [[Alabama]], with the exception Dothan, where it is paired with unsigned [[Alabama State Route 210|State Route 210]]. Within Dothan, AL 1 is also paired with US 231 between the Florida State Line and the Dothan Loop, and US Business Routes 231 and 431 in Dothan, Alabama.


U.S. 431 is paired with unsigned [[Alabama State Route 1|State Route{{nbsp}}1]] throughout almost all of Alabama, with the exception of Dothan, where it is paired with signed [[Alabama State Route 210|State Route 210]] around the eastern portion of the bypass named Ross Clark Circle. There is also a business route through downtown Dothan signed as Business US 431 and locally known as Reeves Street which runs into Business US 231. The two routes are signed concurrently through downtown and known locally as N. Oates Street north of Main Street (Business US 84) and S. Oates Street south of Main Street. The southern terminus of US 431 is at the intersection of US 231 and the business spurs on the south side of Ross Clark Circle. Along with US 84 and US 231, all three routes form the Ross Clark Circle, which is also a beltway around Dothan while their business routes go through the city, though the beltway is not officially designated as such.
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The route takes a rather meandering path through southeast Alabama. It heads in a northeast direction to pass through [[Phenix City, Alabama|Phenix City]] near the [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] state line, then cuts back to the west to pass through [[Opelika, Alabama|Opelika]]; the portion between Phenix City and Opelika is concurrent with [[U.S. Route 280]]. From Opelika, US 431 swings back and forth between northwest and northeast as it works its way through the southern extent of the [[Appalachian Mountains]], then turning northwest to pass through the [[Talladega National Forest]], arriving at a junction with [[Interstate 20 in Alabama|Interstate 20]] a few miles east of [[Oxford, Alabama|Oxford]]. The combined routes travel westward from Exit 191 into Oxford, where US 431 splits off at Exit 188 and heads northward through Oxford and the adjacent city of [[Anniston, Alabama|Anniston]]; through this section the route is named [[Anniston Eastern Bypass|Veterans Memorial Parkway]].


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The route takes a rather meandering path through southeast Alabama. It heads in a northeast direction to pass through [[Phenix City, Alabama|Phenix City]] near the Georgia state line, then cuts back to the west to pass through [[Opelika, Alabama|Opelika]]; the portion between Phenix City and Opelika is concurrent with [[U.S. Route 280]]. From Opelika, US 431 swings back and forth between northwest and northeast as it works its way through the southern extent of the [[Appalachian Mountains]], then turning northwest to pass through [[Talladega National Forest]], arriving at a junction with [[Interstate 20 in Alabama|Interstate 20]] a few miles east of [[Oxford, Alabama|Oxford]]. The combined routes travel westward from Exit 191 into Oxford, where US 431 splits off at Exit 188 and heads northward through Oxford and the adjacent city of [[Anniston, Alabama|Anniston]]; through this section the route is named [[Anniston Eastern Bypass|Veterans Memorial Parkway]].
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From Anniston, US 431 heads northwards towards [[Gadsden, Alabama|Gadsden]]. Southeast of Gadsden, in [[Glencoe, Alabama|Glencoe]], it combines with [[U.S. Route 278]]; the combined route passes westward through Gadsden, where it is named [[Meighan Boulevard (Alabama)|Meighan Boulevard]]. West of Gadsden, US 431 again turns to the northwest. At [[Guntersville, Alabama|Guntersville]], it joins with [[Alabama State Route 79]]. Through downtown Guntersville the route is divided into two separate one-way streets; the northbound street is named Blount Avenue and the southbound street is Gunter Avenue. At the northern edge of Guntersville, the split streets combine and the joint route crosses the [[Tennessee River]]via the George S. Houston Bridge, before US 431 splits off and again heads in a northwest direction.


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From Anniston, US 431 heads northwards towards [[Gadsden, Alabama|Gadsden]]. In East Gadsden, it combines with [[U.S. Route 278 in Alabama|U.S. Route 278]]; the combined route passes westward through Gadsden and [[Attalla, Alabama|Attalla]] before splitting just northwest of Attalla. This route is named [[Meighan Boulevard (Alabama)|Meighan Boulevard]] in Gadsden and Fifth Avenue in Attalla until reaching [[U.S. Route 11|US 11]]. In downtown Attalla, the route shares a brief [[wrong-way concurrency]] with US 11. West of Attalla, US 431 again turns to the northwest. At [[Guntersville, Alabama|Guntersville]], it joins with [[Alabama State Route 79]]. Through downtown Guntersville the route is divided into two separate one-way streets; the northbound street is named Blount Avenue, and the southbound street is Gunter Avenue. At the northern edge of Guntersville, the split streets combine and the joint route crosses the [[Tennessee River]] via the George S. Houston Bridge, before US 431 splits off and again heads in a northwest direction.
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At [[Huntsville, Alabama|Huntsville]], US 431 passes over [[Monte Sano Mountain]] and through Huntsville's medical district before reaching [[Memorial Parkway (Huntsville)|Memorial Parkway]]; this portion of the route forms a portion of [[Governors Drive (Huntsville)|Governors Drive]]. At the Parkway, the route joins with [[U.S. Route 231]]; the combined routes then travel northward to the Tennessee state line.

⚫
At [[Huntsville, Alabama|Huntsville]], US 431 passes over [[Monte Sano Mountain]] and through Huntsville's medical district before reaching [[Memorial Parkway (Huntsville)|Memorial Parkway]]; this portion of the route forms a portion of [[Governors Drive (Huntsville)|Governors Drive]]. At the Parkway, the route joins with [[U.S. Route 231]]; the combined routes then travel northward to the Tennessee state line.


===Tennessee===
===Tennessee===
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{{see also|U.S. Route 431 in Tennessee}}
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A few miles north of the state line, in [[Fayetteville, Tennessee|Fayetteville]], US 231 and 431 split again, with 431 heading northwest in combination with [[State Route 50 (Tennessee)|State Route 50]]. In the town of [[Petersburg, Tennessee|Petersburg]], the combined route briefly joins with [[State Route 129 (Tennessee)|State Route 129]]; the trio head a few miles northwest before SR-129 splits off to the west. From here, US 431/SR 50 travels through mountainous and largely undeveloped territory in south central Tennessee until arriving in [[Lewisburg, Tennessee|Lewisburg]]. On the east side of Lewisburg, it joins with [[U.S. Route 31A (Tennessee)|U.S. Route 31A]]; the combined routes form part of a bypass around the eastern side of Lewisburg. This portion is named Ellington Parkway, and it forms brief unions with State Routes [[Tennessee State Route 272|272]] and [[Tennessee State Route 11|11]], plus a longer-lasting combination with [[State Route 106 (Tennessee)|State Route 106]]. Meanwhile, SR 50 splits off to travel through downtown Lewisburg, rejoining US 431 on the north side of town.
[[File:US 431 NB past Hillsboro Drive Nashville.jpg|thumb|right|US 431 northbound on Hillsboro Pike in Nashville]]


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A few miles north of the state line, in [[Fayetteville, Tennessee|Fayetteville]], US 231 and 431 split again, with 431 heading northwest in combination with [[State Route 50 (Tennessee)|State Route 50]]. In the town of [[Petersburg, Tennessee|Petersburg]], the combined route briefly joins with [[State Route 129 (Tennessee)|State Route 129]]; the trio head a few miles northwest before SR-129 splits off to the west. From here, US 431/SR 50 travels through mountainous and largely undeveloped territory in south central Tennessee until arriving in [[Lewisburg, Tennessee|Lewisburg]]. On the east side of Lewisburg, it joins with [[U.S. Route 31A (Tennessee)|U.S. Route 31A]]; the combined routes form part of a bypass around the eastern side of Lewisburg. This portion is named Ellington Parkway, and it forms brief unions with State Routes [[Tennessee State Route 272|272]] and [[Tennessee State Route 11|11]], plus a longer-lasting combination with [[State Route 106 (Tennessee)|State Route 106]]. Meanwhile, SR 50 splits off to travel through downtown Lewisburg, rejoining US 431 on the north side of town.
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On the north side of Lewisburg, US 31A splits off, and then a few miles later SR-50 splits off, while US 431 and SR-106 jointly continue north. The route pair, variously known through this section as Lewisburg Pike or Franklin Pike, eventually passes underneath [[Interstate 65]] to enter the town of [[Franklin, Tennessee|Franklin]]. Continuing north, the route pair passes through the exclusive [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] subdivision of [[Brentwood, Tennessee|Brentwood]] before entering Nashville proper. The route skirts the campus of [[Vanderbilt University]] before entering downtown Nashville from the southwest. Crossing under [[Interstate 40 (Tennessee)|Interstate 40]] (where SR-106 ends), the route follows Broadway to its intersection with Rosa L. Parks Boulevard. Here the route makes a left turn towards the northwest, joining with [[U.S. Route 31 (Tennessee)|U.S. Route 31]] and [[U.S. Route 41 in Tennessee|U.S. Route 41]] and several state routes. The route snakes around the state capitol and crosses the [[Cumberland River]] going northwest as James Robertson Parkway. In east Nashville, the route crosses under [[Interstate 24 (Tennessee)|Interstate 24]], then follows Spring Street and then Dickerson Pike northward.


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On the north side of Lewisburg, US 31A splits off, and then a few miles later SR-50 splits off, while US 431 and SR-106 jointly continue north. The route pair, variously known through this section as Lewisburg Pike or Franklin Pike, eventually passes underneath [[Interstate 65]] to enter the town of [[Franklin, Tennessee|Franklin]]. Continuing north, the route pair passes through the exclusive [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] subdivision of [[Brentwood, Tennessee|Brentwood]] before entering Nashville proper. The route skirts the campus of [[Vanderbilt University]] before entering downtown Nashville from the southwest. Crossing under [[Interstate 40 (Tennessee)|Interstate 40]] (where SR-106 ends), the route follows Broadway to its intersection with Rosa L. Parks Boulevard. Here the route makes a left turn towards the northwest, joining with [[U.S. Route 31 (Tennessee)|U.S. Route 31]] and [[U.S. Route 41 in Tennessee|U.S. Route 41]] and several state routes. The route snakes around the state capitol and crosses the [[Cumberland River]] going northwest as James Robertson Parkway. In east Nashville, the route crosses under [[Interstate 24 (Tennessee)|Interstate 24]], then follows Spring Street and then Dickerson Pike northward.
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At Whites Creek Pike, US 431 splits off from the other routes, heading westward back across north Nashville and then north out of Nashville. In combination with [[State Route 65 (Tennessee)|State Route 65]], it heads to [[Springfield, Tennessee|Springfield]], where it again joins with US-41 and SR-11. The combined routes pass north through Springfield, and then US-431/SR-65 split off and head north to the Kentucky state line.

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At Whites Creek Pike, US 431 splits off from the other routes, heading westward back across north Nashville and then north out of Nashville. In combination with [[State Route 65 (Tennessee)|State Route 65]], it heads to [[Springfield, Tennessee|Springfield]], where it again joins with US-41 and SR-11. The combined routes pass north through Springfield, and then US-431/SR-65 split off and head north to the Kentucky state line.


===Kentucky===
===Kentucky===
{{Main|U.S. Route 431 in Kentucky}}
[[File:Confluence of the Rough and Green Rivers at Livermore.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Looking south toward the [[Livermore Bridge]], with the Ohio County peninsula in the middle of the river]]
[[File:Confluence of the Rough and Green Rivers at Livermore.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Looking south toward the [[Livermore Bridge]], with the Ohio County peninsula in the middle of the river]]


U.S. 431 enters the state of Kentucky south of the city of [[Adairville, Kentucky|Adairville]], where it runs north into [[Russellville, Kentucky|Russellville]]. It continues through Russellville northbound where many new re-construction projects have widened it to a four-lane highway. U.S. 431 continues its northward journey passing through many small towns when it enters [[Drakesboro, Kentucky|Drakesboro]], after which it follows most of its original route into [[Central City, Kentucky|Central City]]. In Central City, U.S. 431 has a cloverleaf intersection (a former toll plaza when the parkway was toll) with the [[Western Kentucky Parkway]]. The route continues north and intersects with [[U.S. 62]] where it then parallels the route in a westerly direction to a western bypass around the [[central business district]] of Central City, in which city it is named in honor of [[the Everly Brothers]], locally-born prominent singers. U.S. 431 turns north at the [[Kentucky Route 189]] and [[U.S. 62]] bypass and continues on through many small farming communities of [[Muhlenberg County, Kentucky|Muhlenberg]] and [[McLean County, Kentucky|McLean]] counties. After bisecting many rural rolling hills and farms of the [[Western Coal Fields]] as well as crossing through river lowlands of the [[Ohio Valley]] on its journey to [[Daviess County, Kentucky|Daviess County]], it enters the city of [[Owensboro, Kentucky|Owensboro]] as a four-lane highway and one of the main arterial roads into the city. Many shopping centers line its outer reaches in Owensboro.
U.S. 431 enters Kentucky south of [[Adairville, Kentucky|Adairville]], where it runs north into [[Russellville, Kentucky|Russellville]]. It continues through Russellville northbound where many new re-construction projects have widened it to a four-lane highway. U.S. 431 continues its northward journey passing through many small towns when it enters [[Drakesboro, Kentucky|Drakesboro]], after which it follows most of its original route into [[Central City, Kentucky|Central City]]. In Central City, U.S. 431 has a cloverleaf intersection (a former toll plaza when the parkway was toll) with the [[Western Kentucky Parkway]]. The route continues north and intersects with [[U.S. 62]] where it then parallels the route in a westerly direction to a western bypass around the [[central business district]] of Central City, in which city it is named in honor of [[the Everly Brothers]], locally-born prominent singers. U.S. 431 turns north at the [[Kentucky Route 189]] and [[U.S. 62]] bypass and continues on through many small farming communities of [[Muhlenberg County, Kentucky|Muhlenberg]] and [[McLean County, Kentucky|McLean]] counties. After bisecting many rural rolling hills and farms of the [[Western Coal Fields]] as well as crossing through river lowlands of the [[Ohio Valley]] on its journey to [[Daviess County, Kentucky|Daviess County]], it enters the city of [[Owensboro, Kentucky|Owensboro]] as a four-lane highway and one of the main arterial roads into the city. Many shopping centers line its outer reaches in Owensboro.


As of mid-2010, U.S. 431 now officially terminates at the former [[U.S. Route 60 in Kentucky|US 60]] By-Pass ([[Wendell H. Ford]] Expressway) on Owensboro's south side, following AASHTO's approval of Kentucky's renumbering of the US 60 By-Pass as simply U.S. 60. The former route of U.S. 60 through downtown Owensboro (Second and Fourth streets) is to be turned over to the city and made more "pedestrian-friendly" as part of the city's latest downtown revitalization plan.
As of mid-2010, U.S. 431 now officially terminates at the former [[U.S. Route 60 in Kentucky|US 60]] By-Pass ([[Wendell H. Ford]] Expressway) on Owensboro's south side, following AASHTO's approval of Kentucky's renumbering of the US 60 By-Pass as simply U.S. 60. The former route of U.S. 60 through downtown Owensboro (Second and Fourth streets) is to be turned over to the city and made more "pedestrian-friendly" as part of the city's latest downtown revitalization plan.


In early 2011, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet renumbered the former section of U.S. 431 from [[US 60 (KY)|US 60]] to Fifth Street in Owensboro as [[Kentucky Route 2831]].
In early 2011, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet renumbered the former section of U.S. 431 from [[US 60 (KY)|US 60]] to Fifth Street in Owensboro as [[Kentucky Route 2831]].


A small portion of U.S. 431 is famous for a unique reason. U.S. 431 crosses the [[Green River (Kentucky)|Green River]] in McLean County, Kentucky. It is at that crossing in the city of [[Livermore, Kentucky|Livermore]] that U.S. 431 crosses two rivers and also crosses into [[Ohio County, Kentucky|Ohio County]] before completing the river crossing back in [[McLean County, Kentucky|McLean County]]. This is the only known crossing of this type in the United States: a road starts in one county, crosses two separate rivers, crosses a sliver of land within another county, and then terminates the bridge crossing in the original county it started in. This special feature is marked by a state historical marker on both approach ends of the bridge.
A small portion of U.S. 431 is famous for a unique reason. U.S. 431 crosses the [[Green River (Kentucky)|Green River]] in McLean County, Kentucky. It is at that crossing in the city of [[Livermore, Kentucky|Livermore]] that U.S. 431 crosses two rivers and also crosses into [[Ohio County, Kentucky|Ohio County]] before completing the river crossing back in [[McLean County, Kentucky|McLean County]]. This is the only known crossing of this type in the United States: a road starts in one county, crosses two separate rivers, crosses a sliver of land within another county, and then terminates the bridge crossing in the original county it started in. This special feature is marked by a state historical marker on both approach ends of the bridge.
{{Expand section|date=May 2008}}
{{Expand section|date=May 2008}}


==History==
==History==
===Original U.S. Route 241===
'''U.S. Route 241''' was created in 1930, splitting from [[US 41 (TN)|US 41]] in [[Murfreesboro, Tennessee]] and heading south to [[US 231 (AL)|US 231]] in [[Dothan, Alabama]]. The route of the highway, starting at Murfreesboro, TN, went south through Shelbyville and Fayetteville to Huntsville. From Huntsville, the highway snaked through Owens Cross Roads and New Hope (on a road currently named "Old Highway 431") on its way to Guntersville, then through Albertville and Boaz (on what is now AL 205) on its way to Gadsden, then to Anniston and Oxford. After US 231 was extended through north Alabama and Tennessee through Huntsville to Murfreesboro around 1952, the northern terminus of US 241 became Huntsville. In 1953, since US 241 began and ended in Alabama, it was decommissioned. However, US 431 was being extended southward from Kentucky through Tennessee and Alabama, so the lost section from Huntsville to Oxford gained the US 431 designation. However, from Oxford, the US 241 route ran through Talladega, Sylacauga, Goodwater, Alexander City, and Opelika, but US 431 was not routed onto this section, but onto the AL 37 route, which was a shorter route to Opelika. However, the Sylacauga to Opelika section did gain the US 280 designation. From Opelika, US 241 ran south to Phenix City and this section gained the US 431 designation.
{{Infobox road small
{{Expand section|date=May 2008}}
|country=USA
|type=US 1926
|route=241
|location=[[Dothan, Alabama]]–[[Murfreesboro, Tennessee]]
|length_mi=
|length_ref=
|length_round=
|formed=1930{{citation needed|date=December 2017}}
|deleted=January&nbsp;1954<ref name="1954changes" />
}}

'''U.S. Route&nbsp;241''' ('''US&nbsp;241''') was formed in 1930. It went from [[U.S. Route 231 in Alabama|US&nbsp;231]] in [[Dothan, Alabama]] to [[U.S. Route 41 in Tennessee|US&nbsp;41]] in [[Murfreesboro, Tennessee]]. The route of the highway went north from [[Phenix City, Alabama|Phenix City]] to [[Opelika, Alabama|Opelika]]. From there, it traveled north through [[Alexander City, Alabama|Alexander City]], [[Goodwater, Alabama|Goodwater]], [[Sylacauga, Alabama|Sylacauga]], and [[Talladega, Alabama|Talladega]] before entering [[Oxford, Alabama|Oxford]]. It also went north through [[Anniston, Alabama|Anniston]], [[Gadsden, Alabama|Gadsden]], [[Boaz, Alabama|Boaz]], [[Albertville, Alabama|Albertville]] and [[Guntersville, Alabama|Guntersville]] (on what is now [[Alabama State Route 205|SR&nbsp;205]]). It then went through [[New Hope, Alabama|New Hope]], and [[Owens Cross Roads, Alabama|Owens Cross Roads]] (on a road currently named "Old Highway&nbsp;431") before reaching its former northern terminus in [[Huntsville, Alabama|Huntsville]]. Around 1952, the terminus was truncated and the route was extended north, entering [[Tennessee]] and went through [[Fayetteville, Tennessee|Fayetteville]] and ended up in [[Shelbyville, Tennessee|Shelbyville]].

In 1953, US&nbsp;241 was [[Decommissioned highway|decommissioned]]. However, since US&nbsp;431 was being extended northward from [[Alabama]] and into Tennessee and [[Kentucky]]. The lost section from Oxford to Huntsville gained the US&nbsp;431 designation. The route was then later redesignated along [[Alabama State Route 37|SR&nbsp;37]] route, through Opelika, Alexander, Goodwater, Sylacauga, and Talladega. However, the Sylacauga to Opelika section of the original highway did gain the [[U.S. Route 280 in Alabama|US&nbsp;280]] designation. From Opelika to Phenix City, the final section of the decommissioned US&nbsp;241 gained the US&nbsp;431 designation.

===Kentucky Route===
US&nbsp;431 from [[South Carrollton, Kentucky|South Carrollton]] to [[Owensboro, Kentucky|Owensboro]] was originally signed as '''Kentucky Route&nbsp;75''' ('''KY&nbsp;75''') from its 1929 establishment until US&nbsp;431 replaced the designation in 1953.<ref>Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (1939). ''[http://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Maps/1939KYF.pdf Official Kentucky State Highway Map]'' (PDF) (Map). Frankfort: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Retrieved June 14, 2016.</ref> [[Kentucky Route 81|KY&nbsp;81]] was also once designated to travel on US&nbsp;431's course from South Carrollton to the Tennessee state line until 1953. In [[Central City, Kentucky|Central City]], the highway was rerouted from its original alignment to the former [[Kentucky Route 189]] bypass. The original alignment is now designated as [[Kentucky Route 1031]]. In the city of [[Russellville, Kentucky|Russellville]], the original alignment was redesignated to [[Kentucky Route 3519]] in the mid-2000s and US&nbsp;431 was rerouted onto the northwest quadrant of the [[Russellville Bypass]].
{{Clear}}


==Major intersections==
==Major intersections==
Line 71: Line 101:
: {{jct|country=USA|US|80}} in Phenix City. The highways travel concurrently through Phenix City.
: {{jct|country=USA|US|80}} in Phenix City. The highways travel concurrently through Phenix City.
: {{jct|country=USA|I|85|US|29|US|280}} in Opelika
: {{jct|country=USA|I|85|US|29|US|280}} in Opelika
: {{jct|country=USA|I|20}} east of [[Oxford, Alabama|Oxford]]
: {{jct|country=USA|I|20}} east of [[Oxford, Alabama|Oxford]]. The highways travel concurrently into Oxford.
: {{jct|country=USA|US|78}} east-northeast of Oxford. The highways travel concurrently to Oxford.
: {{jct|country=USA|US|78}} in Oxford
: {{jct|country=USA|US|278}} in [[Gadsden, Alabama|Gadsden]]. The highways travel concurrently to northwest of [[Attalla, Alabama|Attalla]].
: {{jct|country=USA|US|278}} in [[Gadsden, Alabama|Gadsden]]. The highways travel concurrently to northwest of [[Attalla, Alabama|Attalla]].
: {{jct|country=USA|US|411}} in Gadsden
: {{jct|country=USA|US|411}} in Gadsden
Line 95: Line 125:
: {{jct|country=USA|US|79}} in [[Russellville, Kentucky|Russellville]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|79}} in [[Russellville, Kentucky|Russellville]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|68}} in Russellville. The highways travel concurrently through Russellville.
: {{jct|country=USA|US|68}} in Russellville. The highways travel concurrently through Russellville.
: {{jct|country=USA|Future|66|dab1=Kansas–Kentucky}} in [[Central City, Kentucky|Central City]]
: {{jct|state=KY|Future|569|Parkway|Western Kentucky}} in [[Central City, Kentucky|Central City]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|62}} in Central City
: {{jct|country=USA|US|62}} in Central City
: {{jct|country=USA|US|60}} in [[Owensboro, Kentucky|Owensboro]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|60}} in [[Owensboro, Kentucky|Owensboro]]
<ref name=randmcnally>{{cite book |author = Rand McNally |year = 2014 |title = The Road Atlas |edition = Walmart |location = Chicago |publisher = Rand McNally |pages = 4–5, 42, 95|isbn = 978-0-528-00771-2}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Attached KML}}
* [http://usends.com/431.html Endpoints of U.S. Highway 431]


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[[Category:U.S. Highway System]]
[[Category:U.S. Route 431| ]]
[[Category:U.S. Route 431| ]]
[[Category:U.S. Highways in Kentucky]]
[[Category:United States Numbered Highway System]]
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[[Category:U.S. Highways in Tennessee]]

Latest revision as of 14:16, 18 February 2024

U.S. Route 431 marker

U.S. Route 431

Map
US 431 highlighted in red
Route information
Auxiliary route of US 31
Length556 mi[citation needed] (895 km)
ExistedJanuary 1954[1]–present
Major junctions
South end

 US 231 / US 231 Bus. / US 431 Bus. in Dothan, AL
Major intersections
North end US 60 at Owensboro, KY
Location
CountryUnited States
StatesAlabama, Tennessee, Kentucky
Highway system

U.S. Route 431 (US 431) is a spur of U.S. Route 31. It currently travels for approximately 556 miles (895 km) from US 231/Alabama State Route 210 and US 231 Business (US 231 Bus.) and US 431 Bus. in Dothan, Alabama, to Owensboro, Kentucky, at US 60 and Kentucky Route 2831. The major cities US 431 connects to (from south to north) are Dothan and Huntsville, Alabama, Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, and Owensboro, Kentucky.

Route description[edit]

Map showing the south end in Dothan, AL

Alabama[edit]

Main article: U.S. Route 431 in Alabama

U.S. 431 is paired with unsigned State Route 1 throughout almost all of Alabama, with the exception of Dothan, where it is paired with signed State Route 210 around the eastern portion of the bypass named Ross Clark Circle. There is also a business route through downtown Dothan signed as Business US 431 and locally known as Reeves Street which runs into Business US 231. The two routes are signed concurrently through downtown and known locally as N. Oates Street north of Main Street (Business US 84) and S. Oates Street south of Main Street. The southern terminus of US 431 is at the intersection of US 231 and the business spurs on the south side of Ross Clark Circle. Along with US 84 and US 231, all three routes form the Ross Clark Circle, which is also a beltway around Dothan while their business routes go through the city, though the beltway is not officially designated as such.

The route takes a rather meandering path through southeast Alabama. It heads in a northeast direction to pass through Phenix City near the Georgia state line, then cuts back to the west to pass through Opelika; the portion between Phenix City and Opelika is concurrent with U.S. Route 280. From Opelika, US 431 swings back and forth between northwest and northeast as it works its way through the southern extent of the Appalachian Mountains, then turning northwest to pass through Talladega National Forest, arriving at a junction with Interstate 20 a few miles east of Oxford. The combined routes travel westward from Exit 191 into Oxford, where US 431 splits off at Exit 188 and heads northward through Oxford and the adjacent city of Anniston; through this section the route is named Veterans Memorial Parkway.

From Anniston, US 431 heads northwards towards Gadsden. In East Gadsden, it combines with U.S. Route 278; the combined route passes westward through Gadsden and Attalla before splitting just northwest of Attalla. This route is named Meighan Boulevard in Gadsden and Fifth Avenue in Attalla until reaching US 11. In downtown Attalla, the route shares a brief wrong-way concurrency with US 11. West of Attalla, US 431 again turns to the northwest. At Guntersville, it joins with Alabama State Route 79. Through downtown Guntersville the route is divided into two separate one-way streets; the northbound street is named Blount Avenue, and the southbound street is Gunter Avenue. At the northern edge of Guntersville, the split streets combine and the joint route crosses the Tennessee River via the George S. Houston Bridge, before US 431 splits off and again heads in a northwest direction.

At Huntsville, US 431 passes over Monte Sano Mountain and through Huntsville's medical district before reaching Memorial Parkway; this portion of the route forms a portion of Governors Drive. At the Parkway, the route joins with U.S. Route 231; the combined routes then travel northward to the Tennessee state line.

Tennessee[edit]

See also: U.S. Route 431 in Tennessee
US 431 northbound on Hillsboro Pike in Nashville

A few miles north of the state line, in Fayetteville, US 231 and 431 split again, with 431 heading northwest in combination with State Route 50. In the town of Petersburg, the combined route briefly joins with State Route 129; the trio head a few miles northwest before SR-129 splits off to the west. From here, US 431/SR 50 travels through mountainous and largely undeveloped territory in south central Tennessee until arriving in Lewisburg. On the east side of Lewisburg, it joins with U.S. Route 31A; the combined routes form part of a bypass around the eastern side of Lewisburg. This portion is named Ellington Parkway, and it forms brief unions with State Routes 272 and 11, plus a longer-lasting combination with State Route 106. Meanwhile, SR 50 splits off to travel through downtown Lewisburg, rejoining US 431 on the north side of town.

On the north side of Lewisburg, US 31A splits off, and then a few miles later SR-50 splits off, while US 431 and SR-106 jointly continue north. The route pair, variously known through this section as Lewisburg Pike or Franklin Pike, eventually passes underneath Interstate 65 to enter the town of Franklin. Continuing north, the route pair passes through the exclusive Nashville subdivision of Brentwood before entering Nashville proper. The route skirts the campus of Vanderbilt University before entering downtown Nashville from the southwest. Crossing under Interstate 40 (where SR-106 ends), the route follows Broadway to its intersection with Rosa L. Parks Boulevard. Here the route makes a left turn towards the northwest, joining with U.S. Route 31 and U.S. Route 41 and several state routes. The route snakes around the state capitol and crosses the Cumberland River going northwest as James Robertson Parkway. In east Nashville, the route crosses under Interstate 24, then follows Spring Street and then Dickerson Pike northward.

At Whites Creek Pike, US 431 splits off from the other routes, heading westward back across north Nashville and then north out of Nashville. In combination with State Route 65, it heads to Springfield, where it again joins with US-41 and SR-11. The combined routes pass north through Springfield, and then US-431/SR-65 split off and head north to the Kentucky state line.

Kentucky[edit]

Main article: U.S. Route 431 in Kentucky
Looking south toward the Livermore Bridge, with the Ohio County peninsula in the middle of the river

U.S. 431 enters Kentucky south of Adairville, where it runs north into Russellville. It continues through Russellville northbound where many new re-construction projects have widened it to a four-lane highway. U.S. 431 continues its northward journey passing through many small towns when it enters Drakesboro, after which it follows most of its original route into Central City. In Central City, U.S. 431 has a cloverleaf intersection (a former toll plaza when the parkway was toll) with the Western Kentucky Parkway. The route continues north and intersects with U.S. 62 where it then parallels the route in a westerly direction to a western bypass around the central business district of Central City, in which city it is named in honor of the Everly Brothers, locally-born prominent singers. U.S. 431 turns north at the Kentucky Route 189 and U.S. 62 bypass and continues on through many small farming communities of Muhlenberg and McLean counties. After bisecting many rural rolling hills and farms of the Western Coal Fields as well as crossing through river lowlands of the Ohio Valley on its journey to Daviess County, it enters the city of Owensboro as a four-lane highway and one of the main arterial roads into the city. Many shopping centers line its outer reaches in Owensboro.

As of mid-2010, U.S. 431 now officially terminates at the former US 60 By-Pass (Wendell H. Ford Expressway) on Owensboro's south side, following AASHTO's approval of Kentucky's renumbering of the US 60 By-Pass as simply U.S. 60. The former route of U.S. 60 through downtown Owensboro (Second and Fourth streets) is to be turned over to the city and made more "pedestrian-friendly" as part of the city's latest downtown revitalization plan.

In early 2011, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet renumbered the former section of U.S. 431 from US 60 to Fifth Street in Owensboro as Kentucky Route 2831.

A small portion of U.S. 431 is famous for a unique reason. U.S. 431 crosses the Green River in McLean County, Kentucky. It is at that crossing in the city of Livermore that U.S. 431 crosses two rivers and also crosses into Ohio County before completing the river crossing back in McLean County. This is the only known crossing of this type in the United States: a road starts in one county, crosses two separate rivers, crosses a sliver of land within another county, and then terminates the bridge crossing in the original county it started in. This special feature is marked by a state historical marker on both approach ends of the bridge.

History[edit]

Original U.S. Route 241[edit]

U.S. Route 241 marker

U.S. Route 241

LocationDothan, Alabama–Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Existed1930[citation needed]–January 1954[1]

U.S. Route 241 (US 241) was formed in 1930. It went from US 231 in Dothan, Alabama to US 41 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The route of the highway went north from Phenix City to Opelika. From there, it traveled north through Alexander City, Goodwater, Sylacauga, and Talladega before entering Oxford. It also went north through Anniston, Gadsden, Boaz, Albertville and Guntersville (on what is now SR 205). It then went through New Hope, and Owens Cross Roads (on a road currently named "Old Highway 431") before reaching its former northern terminus in Huntsville. Around 1952, the terminus was truncated and the route was extended north, entering Tennessee and went through Fayetteville and ended up in Shelbyville.

In 1953, US 241 was decommissioned. However, since US 431 was being extended northward from Alabama and into Tennessee and Kentucky. The lost section from Oxford to Huntsville gained the US 431 designation. The route was then later redesignated along SR 37 route, through Opelika, Alexander, Goodwater, Sylacauga, and Talladega. However, the Sylacauga to Opelika section of the original highway did gain the US 280 designation. From Opelika to Phenix City, the final section of the decommissioned US 241 gained the US 431 designation.

Kentucky Route[edit]

US 431 from South Carrollton to Owensboro was originally signed as Kentucky Route 75 (KY 75) from its 1929 establishment until US 431 replaced the designation in 1953.[2] KY 81 was also once designated to travel on US 431's course from South Carrollton to the Tennessee state line until 1953. In Central City, the highway was rerouted from its original alignment to the former Kentucky Route 189 bypass. The original alignment is now designated as Kentucky Route 1031. In the city of Russellville, the original alignment was redesignated to Kentucky Route 3519 in the mid-2000s and US 431 was rerouted onto the northwest quadrant of the Russellville Bypass.

Major intersections[edit]

Alabama
US 231 in Dothan
US 84 in Dothan. The highways travel concurrently through Dothan.
US 82 in Eufaula. The highways travel concurrently through Eufaula.
US 280 in Phenix City. The highways travel concurrently to Opelika.
US 80 in Phenix City. The highways travel concurrently through Phenix City.
I-85 / US 29 / US 280 in Opelika
I-20 east of Oxford. The highways travel concurrently into Oxford.
US 78 in Oxford
US 278 in Gadsden. The highways travel concurrently to northwest of Attalla.
US 411 in Gadsden
I-59 in Attalla
US 11 in Attalla. The highways travel concurrently through Attalla.
US 231 in Huntsville. The highways travel concurrently to Fayetteville, Tennessee.
I-565 in Huntsville
US 72 in Huntsville. The highways travel concurrently through Huntsville.
Tennessee
US 64 / US 231 in Fayetteville
US 31 in Franklin. The highways travel concurrently through Franklin.
I-440 in Nashville
US 70S in Nashville. The highways travel concurrently through Nashville.
US 70 in Nashville. The highways travel concurrently through Nashville.
US 31 / US 41 / US 70 / US 70S in Nashville. US 31/US 41/US 431 travels concurrently through Nashville.
I-24 in Nashville
US 31 / US 31E / US 31W in Nashville. US 31W/US 431 travels concurrently through Nashville.
I-24 / I-65 in Nashville
I-24 in Nashville
US 41 in Springfield. The highways travel concurrently through Springfield.
Kentucky
US 79 in Russellville
US 68 in Russellville. The highways travel concurrently through Russellville.
Future I-569 / Western Kentucky Parkway in Central City
US 62 in Central City
US 60 in Owensboro

[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "U.S. 431, U.S. 280 Markers Now Up". The Opelika Daily News. Opelika, Alabama. January 26, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved December 21, 2019 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  2. ^ Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (1939). Official Kentucky State Highway Map (PDF) (Map). Frankfort: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  3. ^ Rand McNally (2014). The Road Atlas (Walmart ed.). Chicago: Rand McNally. pp. 4–5, 42, 95. ISBN 978-0-528-00771-2.

External links[edit]

KML file (edit • help)
Template:Attached KML/U.S. Route 431
KML is not from Wikidata
Browse numbered routes
← US 411AL→ I-459
← SR 429TN→ SR 431
← KY 429KY→ KY 432
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=U.S._Route_431&oldid=1208689068"