I can't tell you how many times we have made this route from East Texas (on I-20) to Atlanta towing our fifth-wheel trailers. We have had four and I think every one of them has been to Atlanta and back several times.
Here is the reason for my post: in all those years (20+) and all those fifth-wheels, we have not had one significant slow-down going around Birmingham on I-459.
Most of our trips ended at Stone Mountain RV Park and, as hard as it is to believe, we never had any problem going right through on I-20 to the famous I-285. Now I will admit that I-285 is not a scenic or pleasant route, but never a problem.
Now for the honest confession: I was still young the last time we were in Atlanta (My closest friends have died). That was 10 years ago (I had to look that up) and I was 75 at the time.
Sorry about all this, I just got carried away with memories. The thing I really wanted to say is that getting around Birmingham on I-459 was not a problem on any of these many trips.
