Memorial Parkway (colloquially The Parkway or Parkway) is a major thoroughfare in Huntsville, Alabama.[1] It, in whole or in part, follows U.S. Route 231, U.S. Route 431, U.S. Route 72, and State Route 53 through the Huntsville city limits.[2] It is a limited access road through most of Huntsville city proper, providing exits to the frontage road which allow access to road intersections, as well as businesses and residences along the route.[3] Both the limited access and frontage roads are referred to as Memorial Parkway. Originally constructed in the 1950s and officially opened on December 1, 1955, the highway is the major commercial thoroughfare through Huntsville, a status it has held since the mid-1960s.[3][4][5]
The so-called "useless" overpass (it crosses over no other roadway) between Drake Avenue and Airport Road was originally constructed to provide a convenient U-turn as well as allow access to businesses alongside the Parkway.[2]
South of the Parkway is Clement C. Clay Bridge, also known as Whitesburg Bridge.
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Memorial Parkway's limited access portion is being expanded to include interchanges and frontage roads to the following cross streets. Estimated completion dates for significant current Parkway projects are statused in a quarterly Construction Bulletin[6] from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT)'s Bureau of Transportation Planning.
From north to south:
From north to south:
| Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|
| Meadowbrook Drive West | Southbound exit only |
| Whitesburg Drive, Weatherly Road | Also exit for Cameron Road but not signed. |
| Martin Road, Vermont Road | |
| Golf Road, Jones Valley Drive | |
| Airport Road, Jones Valley Drive | |
| Drake Avenue | Coming from the south, Drake Avenue appears to have two exits because there is a sign that will guide drivers to exit in time for the useless overpass, and another at the appropriate place to exit for Drake Avenue. Both exits lead to the same access road. |
| Bob Wallace Avenue | |
| US-431 south / SR-53 north (Governors Drive, SR 1 south) to SR-20 west | North end of SR 53 overlap; south end of US 431/SR 1 overlap |
| Clinton Avenue - Downtown Huntsville | Former SR 20 |
| I-565 (US 72 Alt.) | |
| US-72 west (University Drive, SR 2 west) | South end of US 72/SR 2 overlap |
| Oakwood Avenue, Cook Avenue |