East-west roadway between Interstate 10 Exit 4 near Grand Bay (pop. 3,918) and Alabama Port. The highway carries two lanes on its 19 mile trek through Bayou La Batre (pop. 2313) and Coden (pop. 1050), fronting wetlands areas along the way. The southern terminus occurs at Alabama 193, a short distance north of Dauphin Island. At Mobile County 59, an abandoned bridge for old Alabama 188 stands over the Fowl River. Counties: Mobile
Alabama 188 East
Alabama 188 eastbound at U.S. 90 in Grand Bay. The two highways overlap for a short stretch within Grand Bay before Alabama 188 turns to the southeast to the fishing/shrimping town of Bayou La Batre. Photo taken 11/04/99.
Still within the town of Grand Bay, Alabama 188 prepares to split with U.S. 90 eastbound. This guide sign indicates the control points for each respective highway eastof their mutual parting. The town of Bayou La Batre, made famous by the 1995 film Forrest Gump, exists along Alabama 188 to the south. Photo taken 10/13/03.
U.S. 90 and Alabama 188 eastbound at their split. The toll ferry trailblazer refers to the Dauphin Island to Fort Morgan Ferry route across Mobile Bay. Alabama 188 ends at Alabama 193 at Alabama Port. Alabama 193 continues south from that junction to Dauphin Island. At the east end of the 16 mile barrier island is the ferry launch. Photo taken 10/13/03.
Alabama 188 turns southward as it departs U.S. 90 and the town of Grand Bay. Depicted here is the signalized intersection with Hurricane Boulevard. Photo taken 10/12/03.
Alabama 188 resumes an easterly jaunt as it turns left at Potter Tract Road (Mobile County 11) onto Saeger Road. The stretch between Grand Bay and Bayou La Batre is rural with a scattering of residences. Photo taken 10/12/03.
At the intersection with Fields Lane, Alabama 188 prepares to encounter the southern terminus of Mobile County 19. Otherwise known as the Irvington Bayou La Batre Highway, County 19 travels northward through Dixon Corner to Irvington and U.S. 90. Photo taken 10/12/03.
Alabama 188 overtakes Mobile County 19 and turns southward. Mobile County 19 will gain in importance as the through route from Bayou La Batre to Interstate 10 with the completion of the Exit 10 interchange. Upon completion, Mobile County 39/McDonald Road will relocate onto a four lane highway to tie directly into Irvington Bayou La Batre Highway at U.S. 90. This will allow a seamless approach to Interstate 10. Photo taken 10/12/03.
A three lane drawbridge sits at the north entrance into downtown Bayou La Batre. Photo taken 10/12/03.
Traveling southward through the heart of Bayou La Batre on Alabama 188. Photo taken 10/12/03.
One of a handful of traffic signals in the town of Bayou La Batre. This particular intersection is that of Alba Street and South Wintzell Avenue (Alabama 188). Photo taken 10/12/03.
Turning southeasterly on Alabama 188 eastbound through the village of Coden. This is the last area of significant settlement along the corridor between Bayou La Batre and Alabama Port. Photo taken 10/12/03.
A flasher guides traffic through the Hemly Road intersection of Alabama 188. This north-south roadway travels from the shores of the Mississippi Sound northward to Davenport Street northeast of Bayou La Batre. Photo taken 10/12/03.
The southern terminus of Mobile County 59/Bellingrath Road as seen from Alabama 188 eastbound. This roadway represents one of two north-south roadways serving Dauphin Island and extreme southern Mobile County. To the right is Lossing Road, a local dirt road. Photo taken 10/12/03.
Eastbound Alabama 188 reassurance shield, posted at the foot of the Fowl River Bridge adjacent to the southern end of Mobile County 59. Photo taken 08/09/02.
Approaching the eastern terminus of Alabama 188 at Alabama Port/Alabama 193. The toll ferry signage refers to the Fort Morgan to Dauphin Island Ferry, located at the eastern end of Dauphin Island. Unlike most Mobile County state termini, no end sign is posted for the east end of Alabama 188. Photo taken 08/09/02.
This flasher governs traffic movements for the eastern terminus of Alabama 188. Traffic turning to the right sees a seven mile journey to the southern terminus of Alabama 193 at Dauphin Island. Also situated nearby, is Bayfront Park, a small recreational facility with a children's playground and picnic tables along the western shore of Mobile Bay. Photo taken 08/09/02.
Alabama 188 West
Westbound Alabama 188 at at the southern terminus of Mobile County
59/Bellingrath Road at the Fowl River. Mobile County 59 is a good alternative from the main route to Dauphin
Island (Alabama 193) from Mobile. An old alignment of Alabama 188, complete with an abandoned bridge,
is situated nearby. Photo taken 08/09/02.
Westbound end shield at the Grand Bay interchange of
Interstate 10 (Exit 4). This end shield is posted next to a truck plaza on the north side of the diamond
interchange. Alabama 188 is orientated north-south between U.S. 90 and this location, with the road itself
continuing northward as Mobile County 11 to Airport Boulevard. This is the best route into West Mobile from
Interstate 10 when entering Alabama from Mississippi. Photo taken 12/17/02.
Alabama 188 Abandoned Fowl River Bridge
View of the Fowl River Bridge of Alabama 188 from the eastbound guard rail. This newer bridge is higher in elevation then the original bridge (situated to the right). The Fowl River is somewhat narrow, but is partially navigable. Photo taken 08/09/02.
View of the Fowl River Bridge from the rivers edge. The batter piles are put in place due to the threats of wind and surge related effects from hurricanes. These are standard bridge supports in coastal areas of the Gulf Coast. The main channel of the Fowl River is beyond the berm in the foreground. Photo taken 08/09/02.
Although still some distance from the Mississippi Sound, the
land between Alabama 188 and the water is not developable, due to the fact that it is composed of tidal
marshland. View looks south from the Fowl River Bridge. Visible is the remaining segment of the original
Alabama 188 bridge. The segment only travels halfway across the Fowl River and is now used by locals as a
fishing pier. Photo taken 08/09/02.
With the new Fowl River Bridge of Alabama 188 visible to the left, what is left of the old roadway is now a parking area for the fishing enthusiasts on the old bridge. Note that some of the original pavement markings can still be discerned. Photo taken 08/09/02.
