Huntsville is considering a major relocation of County Line Road that could support new development in west Huntsville and eventually leave room for a third runway at Huntsville International Airport.
A new route for County Line Road
The proposed project would shift County Line Road farther west toward Boeing Boulevard. Councilman John Meredith said the move is part of a larger effort to plan where future industrial, residential, commercial and retail growth should happen.
The existing road alignment has already affected potential development, according to Shane Davis, Huntsville’s director of urban and economic development. Some projects have reportedly been delayed because developers would first need to account for the road’s relocation.
Moving County Line Road could remove that obstacle and make more sites available for private investment.
Airport plans look decades ahead
The road project could also support long-term plans at Huntsville International Airport.
Mary Swanstrom with the airport said its master plan considers the next 50 years and includes space for additional runways. A third runway, however, is not an immediate project.
Huntsville’s continued population growth and rising passenger traffic are among the factors shaping the airport’s long-term planning. The city continues to add residents while increased capacity helps support additional air travel.
Part of a larger west Huntsville investment
County Line Road relocation is one of 11 projects proposed for the TIF 8 district, a development plan that could bring up to $230 million in investment.
The district includes major transportation improvements, a new school and other infrastructure projects designed to support Huntsville’s continued growth.
For now, the focus remains on preparing west Huntsville for future development. The potential for a third airport runway represents one longer-term possibility tied to that planning.
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