U.S. Route 43

U.S. Route 43
US 43 highlighted in red
Route information
Length	410 mi (660 km)
Existed	1934–present
Major junctions
South end	US 90 in Prichard, AL
Major intersections	I-65 in Satsuma, AL US 84 in Grove Hill, AL US 80 in Demopolis, AL US 11 from Eutaw to Tuscaloosa, AL I-20 / I-59 south of Knoxville, AL I-22 / US 78 in Hamilton, AL US 72 from Muscle Shoals to near Killen, AL US 64 in Lawrenceburg, TN
North end	US 31 / US 412 in Columbia, TN
Location
Country	United States
States	Alabama, Tennessee
Counties	AL: Mobile, Washington, Clarke, Marengo, Greene, Tuscaloosa, Fayette, Marion, Franklin, Colbert, Lauderdale TN: Lawrence, Maury
Highway system
United States Numbered Highway System List Special Divided
Alabama State Highway System Interstate US State
Tennessee State Routes Interstate US State
← US 42 US → US 44 ← SR 42 AL → SR 44 ← SR 41 TN → SR 43

U.S. Route 43 (US 43) is a 410-mile-long (660 km) north–south United States Highway in the Southern states of Alabama and Tennessee. It travels from Prichard, Alabama, to Columbia, Tennessee. The highway's southern terminus is in Prichard, at an intersection with US 90, and its northern terminus is in Columbia at an intersection with US 31/US 412/US 412 Bus.

In Alabama and Tennessee, all of the U.S. Highways in each state have one or more unsigned state highways designated along its length. US 43 travels concurrently with Alabama State Route 13 (SR 13) from its southern terminus to an intersection in southeastern Fayette County. For the rest of its length in the state, US 43 is concurrent with signed state highways. In Tennessee, US 43 travels concurrently with Tennessee State Route 6 (SR 6) along its entire length in the state. It also has an unsigned concurrency with SR 227 between Saint Joseph and Loretto.

Route description

Alabama

US 43 begins along Telegraph Road in Prichard, Alabama, at the point where US 90 crosses over Telegraph Road; a short connector road joins the two highways nearby. It travels northward toward Chickasaw on a three-lane road that features one lane in each direction and a center turning lane. Upon intersecting the Craft Highway in Chickasaw, the roadway adds another lane in each direction. As it enters Saraland, the highway meets State Route 158 (SR 158), which connects to Interstate 65 (I-65) to the west. Farther north in the town, it meets SR 213. It continues north and then crosses I-65 on the northern edge of Satsuma. US 43 continues north on a four-lane divided highway that runs roughly parallel to the meandering Mobile River. A trumpet interchange near Calvert provides access to a steel mill between the highway and the river. In McIntosh, the highway passes Andrews Chapel, a historic log church. North of McIntosh, the highway runs through forest land; clearings dot the roadside occasionally. At Wagarville, the highway intersects SR 56, which travels west toward Chatom. Near Jackson, the road crosses the Tombigbee River just before an intersection with SR 177. SR 177 serves as a business route for US 43 as it passes through downtown Jackson. A connector road on either side of US 43 links the highway to SR 69, which passes over the four-lane road. SR 177 intersects US 43 again as it leaves Jackson. US 43 curves to the northeast as it heads toward Grove Hill. There, SR 295 splits off to the east and passes through the town. Shortly thereafter, the highway meets US 84 at a diamond interchange. SR 295 rejoins US 43 on the northern end of Grove Hill. Roughly halfway between Grove Hill and Thomasville, SR 178 connects Fulton to the highway system. Near the center of Thomasville, the road meets SR 154, which heads southwest toward Coffeeville. In northern Thomasville, US 43 splits away from the roadway, which continues as SR 5. Instead, US 43 heads northwesterly until it intersects SR 10 at Dixons Mills.

US 43 in Tuscaloosa

US 43 continues northward from Dixons Mills along a winding road that leads to Linden. There, it meets SR 69, which came from the southwest. The two highways travel together through Linden, where they are overlapped briefly by SR 28. When the highways reach Providence, the two roads fork and US 43 takes the western leg; SR 69 heads north toward Greensboro. It then curves slightly to the northwest and meets US 80 in southeastern Demopolis. The two routes head west together for about one mile (1.6 km) before US 43 turns back to the north. The highway passes by the town square and in between the Tombigbee and Black Warrior Rivers before crossing the latter. North of Demopolis, it follows a two-lane road that passes through wooded farmland that clears as the road goes north. When the highway reaches Eutaw, it joins up with SR 14, which comes from Greensboro to the southeast. In the middle of town, the two routes meet northbound U.S. Route 11 in Alabama at the Greene County Courthouse Square District; southbound US 11 goes around the other side of the block, effectively making the courthouse square its median. The three routes only share one block before SR 14 departs to the west and the other two routes head in the opposite direction. Outside of Eutaw, the roadway curves around to the north and it runs a parallel course to I-20/I-59, though a few miles offset. At Knoxville, the two U.S. Highways cross over the two Interstate Highways, after which, US 43 and US 11 travel on the north side of the interstates until reaching Tuscaloosa. In southwestern Tuscaloosa, the two highways cross the Joe Mallisham Parkway, which serves as a western bypass of Tuscaloosa and Northport. Just south of downtown Tuscaloosa, US 43 and US 11 diverge at an interchange with SR 69, which also happens to be the northern end of I-359. SR 69 descends from the elevated highway and joins US 43 on Lurleen B. Wallace Parkway through the downtown area and past the historic Bama Theatre. The northbound and southbound lanes are separated by a block until they join to cross the Black Warrior River on the Hugh R. Thomas Bridge just above the Oliver Dam and then enter Northport. Shortly after crossing the river is an interchange with 5th Street. The highways ease to the north and continue until reaching US 82. There, SR 69 continues to the north while US 43 turns west onto US 82. These two highways head west for a short distance before US 43 turns away to the northwest. The highway curves back around to head northeast as it intersects SR 171. Farther north in Northport, US 43 meets the end of the Tuscaloosa–Northport western bypass.

US 43 near Hackleburg

It crosses over an arm of Lake Tuscaloosa and travels along the western edge of Binion Creek Landing Park. It winds to the north-northwest and intersects SR 18. At this intersection, US 43 ends its southern concurrency with SR 13 and begins a concurrency with SR 18. Also, SR 13 becomes a signed highway at this intersection. US 43 and SR 18 wind to the north-northeast and enter Bankston and later pass through Stough. Approximately 2,000 feet (610 m) after crossing the Sipsey River the highways enter Fayette where they intersect SR 171 (2nd Avenue Southeast) in the downtown area. At this intersection, SR 18 continues to the west-northwest on Columbus Street West and US 43 and SR 171 travel to the north-northeast on 2nd Avenue Northeast. North of Fayette, the two highways intersect the southern terminus of SR 129 and the western terminus of SR 102 shortly thereafter. They curve to the north-northwest and then briefly travel through the Fayette State Experiment Forest. The highways curve to the north-northeast and enter Winfield. They cross over some railroad tracks of BNSF Railway before intersecting SR 118 (Bankhead Highway) and the southern terminus of SR 253. US 43, SR 118, and SR 171 travel concurrently to the northwest toward Gu-Win and Guin. They pass a 3M plant before they intersect the western terminus of SR 44 (7th Street) in Guin. The highways intersect US 278 (unsigned SR 74) and the eastern terminus of SR 142 (11th Avenue West) in downtown Guin. At this intersection, SR 118 turns south onto US 278 west, and US 43 and SR 171 turn north onto US 278 east; the three highways travel to the north-northwest. Between Guin and Hamilton, they have an interchange with I-22/US 78. They cross over the Buttahatchee River as they enter Hamilton. They intersect SR 17 south of the downtown area. At this intersection, SR 171 ends and SR 17 joins the US 43/US 278 concurrency. At Bexar Avenue West, US 278 turns east, while US 43 and SR 17 continue to the north. The highways curve back to the northeast and intersect the southern terminus of SR 187. They enter Hackleburg and in the main part of town is an intersection with SR 172 and the southern terminus of SR 253 (Clay Street). They then continue to the north and intersect SR 13 for a second time northwest of Phil Campbell. They enter Russellville and have an interchange with SR 24.

The three highways head to the north and pass the King Drive-In theater, the oldest, continually-operating theater in the state. They travel northeast through Littleville and then northwest towards Tuscumbia. They have an intersection with US 72 (unsigned SR 2), US 72 Alt., and SR 20. At this intersection, US 72 Alternate ends, while US 72 and SR 20 join the US 43/SR 13/SR 17 concurrency. The five highways continue to the north, briefly travel through Tuscumbia proper before traveling along the Tuscumbia–Muscle Shoals city line. On the Muscle Shoals–Sheffield city line, the highways intersect East 2nd Street, which carries SR 184 east of the intersection. They then pass administration offices of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Then, they cross over the Tennessee River on the O'Neal Bridge and enter Lauderdale County. The US 43/US 72/SR 13/SR 17/SR 20 concurrency immediately enters Florence. It has an incomplete interchange where SR 20 leaves the concurrency to the west-southwest on Coffee Road. There is no direct access from SR 20 to US 43 north/US 72 east/SR 13 north/SR 17 north. The highways pass near University of North Alabama's main campus and travel to the northeast. There is an interchange with SR 157 (Helton Drive). At this interchange, SR 17 departs the concurrency and heads northwest with SR 157. After that, they intersect SR 133 (Cox Creek Parkway). Just west-southwest of Killen, US 72 continues to the east-northeast, while US 43 and SR 13 head to the northeast. US 43 and SR 13 curve to the north and intersect SR 64. They continue to the north and east until they reach the Tennessee state line, where SR 13 ends.

Tennessee

US 43 enters Lawrence County and the city limits of Saint Joseph. The unsigned State Route 6 (SR 6) begins at the state line. In the main part of the city, US 43 begins an unsigned concurrency with SR 227 (Iron City Road). They curve to the northeast, leave Saint Joseph, and enter Loretto. There, SR 227 splits off to the southeast onto East Main Street. Then, US 43 intersects SR 98 (Rabbit Trail Road) in Leoma. It has an interchange with US 64 (unsigned SR 15; Lawrenceburg Highway) in Lawrenceburg. In downtown Lawrenceburg, US 43 intersects US 64 Bus. (Gaines Street). The highway briefly parallels the North Fork Buffalo River before beginning a curve to the north and crossing that river twice. Then, US 43 intersects SR 240 (Monument Road) and Spring Water Drive.

US 43 west of Columbia

In Maury County, US 43 intersects SR 20. It intersects the southern terminus of SR 243 (South Main Street) in Mount Pleasant. It travels on an overpass over Mt. Joy Road and some railroad tracks. US 43 bypasses downtown by traveling through the western part of the city. It intersects SR 166 (1st Avenue). Then, it has an interchange with SR 243, which also leads to the Maury County Airport. It has an interchange with US 412 (unsigned SR 99) and the western terminus of US 412 Bus. (Hampshire Pike) in Columbia. At this interchange, US 43 and US 412 travel concurrently to the north-northeast. At an interchange with SR 50 (Williamsport Pike), the concurrency briefly re-enters the city before leaving again. The concurrency curves to the east-southeast and has an interchange with SR 7 (Santa Fe Pike). Then, they intersect US 31 and US 412 Bus (Nashville Highway). Here, US 43 ends, US 412 continues to the east-southeast on Bear Creek Pike, and SR 6 turns onto US 31 north.

History

Prior to the completion of Corridor X in western Alabama, US 43 and US 278 shared a concurrency with US 78 between Guin and Hamilton.

1934 proposed expansion

U.S. Route 143
Existed	1934–1934

In 1934 as part of a proposal to eliminate the US 31W and US 31E spilt, US 43 was to be extended north to Hopkinsville, Kentucky on US 31 and modern day US 41A. An auxiliary route numbered US 143 was also to be commissioned to replace US 31E to Glasgow, Kentucky. This plan received pushback from the Tennessee and Kentucky Departments of Transportation and the plan was scrapped.

Future

Preliminary talks have indicated that Alabama state officials support a plan to upgrade US 43 to Interstate Highway standards from the Mobile metropolitan area to the I-20/I-59 interchange in Knoxville, Alabama (southwest of Tuscaloosa). No number has been assigned. The plan is estimated to cost roughly $1.6 billion. The project is expected to help the economies of cities in the Black Belt by connecting communities in western Alabama, the Port of Mobile, I-65, and I-20/I-59.

Major intersections

State	County	Location	mi	km	Destinations	Notes
Alabama	Mobile	Prichard	0.000	0.000	SR 13 begins / Telegraph Road south – State Docks Truck Control	Continuation past southern end; southern end of SR 13 overlap
					US 90 / US 98 Truck (SR 16 / New Bay Bridge Road) to I-165	Southern end of US 43; interchange
		Saraland	4.539	7.305	SR 158 west (Industrial Parkway) – Prichard	Eastern end of SR 158
			6.574	10.580	SR 213 south (Shelton Beach Road) – Prichard	Northern end of SR 213
		Satsuma	10.576	17.020	I-65 – Mobile, Montgomery	I-65 exit 19; parclo interchange
		​	29.146	46.906	Steel Drive	Interchange
	Washington	Wagarville	50.406	81.121	SR 56 west (St. Stephens Avenue) – Jackson, Chatom	Eastern end of SR 56
	Clarke	​	59.621	95.951	SR 177 north (Commerce Street) – Jackson, Alabama Southern College Jackson Campus, William E. Stewart Jackson Municipal Airport	Southern end of SR 177
		Jackson	61.101	98.333	SR 69 (Coffeeville Road) – Legion Field, Jackson Academy, National Guard Armory, Old Lock One Park
			62.341	100.328	SR 177 south (College Avenue)	Northern end of SR 177
		Grove Hill	75.035	120.757	SR 295 north / CR 18 (Hebron Road)	Southern end of SR 295
			75.760	121.924	US 84 (SR 12 / Grove Hill Avenue) – Coffeeville, Whatley	Diamond interchange
			78.267	125.959	SR 295 south (North Jackson Street)	Northern end of SR 295
		Fulton	82.757	133.184	SR 178 east – Fulton Healthcare Clinic	Western end of SR 178
		Thomasville	91.080	146.579	SR 154 west (Tallahatta Springs Road)	Eastern end of SR 154
			93.087	149.809	SR 5 north – Pine Hill	Southern end of SR 5
	Marengo	Dixons Mills	101.572	163.464	SR 10 – Butler, Pine Hill
		Linden	118.131	190.113	SR 69 south – Nanafalia	Southern end of SR 69 overlap
			119.477	192.280	SR 28 east (East Coats Avenue) – Thomaston	Southern end of SR 28 overlap
			119.890	192.944	SR 28 west (Cahaba Avenue) – Livingston	Northern end of SR 28 overlap
		Providence	122.423	197.021	SR 69 north – Greensboro	Northern end of SR 69 overlap
		Demopolis	134.323	216.172	US 80 east (SR 8) – Selma, Montgomery	Southern end of US 80 overlap
			135.275	217.704	US 80 west (SR 8) – Cuba, Meridian	Northern end of US 80 overlap
	Greene	Eutaw	160.423	258.176	SR 14 east (Greensboro Street) – Greensboro	Southern end of SR 14 overlap
			160.710	258.638	US 11 south (SR 7 / Boligee Street) – Livingston	Southern end of US 11 overlap
			160.946	259.017	SR 14 west (Tuscaloosa Street) – Aliceville	Northern end of SR 14 overlap
		​	173.626	279.424	I-20 / I-59 – Meridian, Tuscaloosa	Diamond interchange; I-20/I-59 exit 52
	Tuscaloosa	Fosters	183.651	295.558	SR 300 to I-20 / I-59
		Tuscaloosa	194.287	312.675	I-359 south / SR 69 south / US 11 north (SR 7) – Birmingham, Greensboro	Northern end of US 11 overlap; southern end of SR 69 overlap; I-359 exit 2
		Northport	195.713	314.970	5th Street	Interchange
			197.139	317.264	US 82 east (SR 6 / McFarland Boulevard) / SR 69 north – Duncanville, Jasper	Southern end of US 82 overlap; northern end of SR 69 overlap
			198.093	318.800	US 82 west (SR 6 / McFarland Boulevard) – Reform	Northern end of US 82 overlap
			200.192	322.178	SR 171 north – Fayette	Southern end of SR 171
	Fayette	​	226.727	364.882	SR 13 north / SR 18 east – Eldridge, Berry	Northern end of SR 13 overlap; southern end of signed segment of SR 13; southern end of SR 18 overlap
		Fayette	240.217	386.592	SR 18 west (Columbus Street East) / SR 171 south (2nd Avenue Southeast) – Vernon, Tuscaloosa	Northern end of SR 18 overlap; southern end of SR 171 overlap
		​	246.256	396.311	SR 129 north – Glen Allen, Haleyville	Southern end of SR 129
		Hubbertville	247.233	397.883	SR 102 east	Western end of SR 102
	Marion	Winfield	260.526	419.276	SR 118 east (Bankhead Highway) / SR 253 north – Jasper, Yampertown	Southern end of SR 118 overlap; southern end of SR 253
		Guin	266.701	429.214	SR 44 east (7th Street) – Yampertown	Western end of SR 44
			267.066	429.801	US 278 west (SR 74) / SR 118 west / SR 142 west – Sulligent, Hamilton	Southern end of US 278 overlap; northern end of SR 118 overlap; eastern end of SR 142
		Hamilton	275.428	443.258	I-22 / US 78 (SR 4) – Tupelo, Birmingham	Diamond interchange; I-22/US 78 exit 16
			280.185	450.914	SR 17 south / SR 171 ends – Sulligent, York, Butler, Mobile	Southern end of SR 17 overlap; northern end of SR 171 overlap; northern end of SR 171
			280.517	451.448	US 278 east (SR 74 / Bexar Avenue) – Natural Bridge, Cullman	Northern end of US 278 overlap
		​	285.822	459.986	SR 187 north – Hodges, Belgreen	Southern end of SR 187
		Hackleburg	294.323	473.667	SR 172 / SR 253 north (Clay Street) – Bear Creek, Hodges	Southern end of SR 253
	Franklin	Phil Campbell	304.307	489.735	SR 13 south (A.W. Todd Memorial Highway) – Haleyville, Phil Campbell, The Upper Bear Creek Dam	Southern end of SR 13 overlap
		Russellville	310.871	500.298	SR 24 south to SR 243 – Red Bay, Double Springs, Moulton	Parclo interchange
	Colbert	Tuscumbia–Muscle Shoals line	327.903	527.709	US 72 west / US 72 Alt. east / SR 20 east (SR 2 / Lee Highway) – Corinth, Decatur, Moulton	Western end of US 72 Alt.; southern end of US 72 and SR 20 overlaps
		Muscle Shoals–Sheffield line	331.231	533.065	SR 184 east (East 2nd Street)	Western end of SR 184
	Lauderdale	Florence	333.658	536.971	SR 20 west (Coffee Road) – Savannah, Natchez Trace Parkway, Waterloo	Interchange; northern end of SR 20 overlap; no access from SR 20 to US 43 north/US 72 east/SR 17 north
			335.496	539.928	SR 17 north (Helton Drive) / SR 157 – Muscle Shoals, Moulton, Waynesboro, Tn	Interchange; northern end of SR 17 overlap
			337.819	543.667	SR 133 (Cox Creek Parkway) – Waterloo, Zip City, Moulton
		Killen	342.215	550.742	US 72 east (SR 2 / Lee Highway) – Rogersville, Athens	Northern end of US 72 overlap
		Zip City	347.747	559.645	CR 364 west / SR 64 east – Lexington, Anderson	Eastern end of CR 364; western end of SR 64
Alabama–Tennessee state line			353.077 0.00	568.222 0.00	SR 13 ends (Alabama) / SR 6 begins (Tennessee)
Tennessee	Lawrence	Saint Joseph	2.34	3.77	SR 227 west (Iron City Road) – Iron City	Southern end of SR 227 overlap
		Loretto	10.35	16.66	SR 227 east (East Main Street)	Northern end of SR 227 overlap
		Leoma	14.85	23.90	SR 98 south (Rabbit Trail Road) – Five Points, Bonnertown	Northern end of SR 98
		Lawrenceburg	18.15	29.21	US 64 (SR 15 / Lawrenceburg Highway) – Waynesboro, Pulaski	Interchange
			20.62	33.18	US 64 Bus. (Gaines Street)	Provides access to David Crockett State Park
		​	33.10	53.27	SR 240 west (Monument Road) – Summertown, Hohenwald	Eastern end of SR 240
	Maury	Summertown	34.20	55.04	SR 20 west – Summertown, Hohenwald	Eastern end of SR 20
		Mount Pleasant	40.36	64.95	SR 243 north (South Main Street)	Southern end of SR 243
			40.96	65.92	Mount Joy Road	Interchange
			42.55	68.48	SR 166 (1st Avenue) – Hampshire	Interchange
			44.85	72.18	SR 243 – Maury County Airport	Interchange
		Ashwood	49.98	80.44	Zion Road	Interchange
		Columbia	50.77	81.71	US 412 west / US 412 Bus. east (SR 99 / Hampshire Pike)	Southern end of US 412 overlap; western end of US 412 Bus.
			52.04	83.75	SR 50 (Williamsport Pike) – Centerville	Interchange
			54.22	87.26	Industrial Park Road	Interchange
			55.90	89.96	SR 7 (Santa Fe Pike) – Dickson, Santa Fe	Interchange
			57.21	92.07	US 31 / US 412 Bus. west (SR 6 / Nashville Highway) / US 412 east (SR 99 / Bear Creek Pike) to I-65 – Spring Hill	Northern end of US 43; northern end of US 412 overlap
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi       Concurrency terminus

See also

• U.S. Route 143

External links

• U.S. Highway 43 (AL) on AARoads.com
• U.S. Highway 43 endpoints on USEnds.com
• U.S. Highway 43 on the Lost Highway – Shows pictures of old segments of US 43
• Interstate 63/Western Alabama North-South Freeway on Interstate-Guide.com