JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. (WBMA) — Two major projects are raising questions about their potential impact on local communities and development. The long-planned Alabama Northern Beltline, a 52-mile project intended to connect various parts of Jefferson County, is eventually set to intersect with a proposed 700-acre data center in Bessemer, raising concerns about whether or not the two projects are possible for the same location.
David Havron, a resident of McCalla and president of the Rock Mountain Lakes Landowners Association, has been vocal in his opposition to the data center. “You can see the I-422 beltline goes right through, 1,2,3,4,5 of the data buildings and right beside these other two,” Havron said, pointing to a map. He believes the beltline will bring significant economic benefits, stating, “It ties Bessemer and this side of town to Hoover, to Birmingham, to Gardendale, ties all of us in. The economic boom for businesses and jobs way outweighs what they are going to add on this over here.”
The Northern Beltline, also known as Interstate 422, aims to ease congestion, improve emergency response times, and spur economic growth. The first segment, connecting State Routes 75 and 79 in Pinson is expected to open in 2026…