The Beltline

The Beltline is a western bypass located completely within the city limits of Decatur, Alabama. It was built as an extension of Alabama State Route 67, and is the northern terminating end of the highway. It is currently the second most heavily traveled roadway in the Decatur Metropolitan Area.

Built in 1966 to relieve major traffic congestion on 6th Avenue (US 31), which runs down the eastern portion of the city, and serves the northeastern and southeastern regions of town. In providing this "relief", the bypass created problems of its own.

History

The Beltline has seen many expansions, upgrades, and improvements since its initial construction. When it was constructed, the city of Decatur had very few businesses in western Decatur, in the part of town called Austinville.

The Four Regions

In the 1960s, there were no SE, NE, NW, or SW regions of town to speak of. However, today, most people identify with one of the four regions. Since the two halves of town, East and West, have slightly different cultures, most people "cross town" do not know where a certain street may be. This, though, is fixed by saying which region of town one is from. Most local residents use this sort of geographical identification.

Oregon Route 569

Oregon Route 569 is an Oregon state highway serving as an outer quarter-loop in Eugene and Springfield. OR 569 comprises part of the Beltline Highway No. 69 (see Oregon highways and routes). It is 9.90 miles (15.93 km) long and runs east–west. OR 569 is not a complete beltway, though it was originally proposed as such before freeway revolts resulted in the original plan being scrapped.

In March 2010, the Oregon Transportation Commission voted to rename the highway from Beltline to Randy Papé Beltway. This name change met much opposition. (See History below.) By April, it was finalized as the Randy Papé Beltline.

Route description

OR 569 begins at a T-intersection with OR 126, on the western edge of Eugene. At first, as it heads north and east, it is an expressway, with one at-grade signalized intersection. Soon it becomes a two lane freeway in each direction, as it crosses the northern edge of incorporated Eugene. From the highway, one sees mostly suburban housing and strip malls. At the eastern end, there is an interchange with I-5. Beltline becomes a local road at Gateway Street. The roadway continues, eventually reaching OR 528 in Springfield.