An aerial view of the first section of Birmingham’s Northern Beltline. Alabama has restarted construction on the project with federal funds from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, but critics say the project is unnecessary and could damage sensitive environmental areas. (Lee Hedgepeth/Inside Climate News)
This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News , a nonprofit, independent news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. It is republished with permission. Sign up for their newsletter here .
BIRMINGHAM —Driving north on Alabama Highway 79 in late October offers a stunning vista of the rolling Appalachian foothills. Splashes of yellow, orange and red have emerged among the green, tree-covered hillsides as fall arrives outside Alabama’s largest metro area.
The road narrows to two lanes about 15 miles outside of downtown Birmingham, but this stretch could be almost anywhere in rural Alabama. Mailboxes along the highway indicate residences hidden among the trees. The only non-residential properties are the Agape Church, Leeroy’s Dynamite Fireworks store and the Pinson Truck Equipment Company, a trailer repair business.