Broad Street (U.S. 90/98/Truck U.S. 98)
Once the roadway for five different U.S. routes and two U.S. Truck routes, the highway now carries U.S. 90, 98, and Truck U.S. 98. The roadway is part of the downtown area Hank Aaron Loop, named after the Major League Baseball home run king and Mobile Native. The road is orientated in a north-south fashion between Interstate 10 and Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, providing downtown traffic with exits to the city. Bishop State Community College is situated along the northern part of the street, where Broad Street carries six lanes on the western fringes of the central business district. South of U.S. 90/98/Government Street, Broad Street leaves downtown and passes through older residential areas that are in an unfortunate state of decline.
Alabama @ AARoads.com - U.S. Highway 90 East
Alabama @ AARoads.com - U.S. Highway 90 West
Alabama @ AARoads.com - U.S. Highway 98 East
Alabama @ AARoads.com - U.S. Highway 98 West
| Broad Street North
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| Leaving the Brookley Field industrial area south of Interstate 10 along Broad Street northbound. Ahead is a CSX Railroad overpass and the folded diamond interchange with the freeway. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| Lost in the over brush of Broad Street is this button copy guide sign for Pensacola and the Interstate 10 eastbound ramp. The ramp itself departs beyond the CSX Railroad overpass to the right. A frontage road system of Interstate 10 travels west of Broad Street to Duval Street
otherwise. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| A closer look at the CSX Railroad span. To the right is a concrete pedestrian under crossing. Interstate 10 travels in the background. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| Northbound split of Washington Street from Broad Street in the Birdville community of south Mobile. These neighborhood areas have long since seen better days unfortunately. Photo taken 03/28/02.
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| Broad Street perspective of the former terminus of U.S. 31, 43, 45, and Truck U.S. 90 at Government Street. Now U.S. 90 enters from the left and turns north on Broad Street, with U.S. 98 continuing on Government Street to the right from Broad Street southbound. Left turns
are prohibited from U.S. 90/Government Street east to Broad Street north, with traffic forced to loop via Jefferson and Church Streets to Broad Street in a jug handle type fashion. Photo taken 11/03/03.
| | Broad Street South
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| Junction Interstate 10 shield along Broad Street southbound as it approaches the folded diamond interchange with Interstate 10. Many of these 1979 specifications shields posted at Interstate 10 interchanges are badly faded and damaged. Date stamps indicate a placement of October 1982. Photo taken 11/19/03.
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Beauregard Street (U.S. 90/98)
Continuation of Broad Street and U.S. 90/Truck U.S. 98 eastward to Interstate 165/Water Street and the Alabama State Docks. The highway is also six lanes with original concrete in place. The new Mobile Register (local newspaper) building is situated at the corner of Beauregard and Water Streets.
For more coverage and photographs see U.S. Highway 90/Truck U.S. 98.
| Westbound leaving the State Docks area at the Gulf-Ohio Railroad Building. The intersection ahead is at Water Street and Interstate 165/U.S. 90/Truck U.S. 98, with the new Mobile Register complex to the left. Photo taken 04/25/02.
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Canal Street
Canal Street begins as a two-lane road from Old Water Street up to the Water Street Extension at Interstate 10 exit 26. Canal Street then becomes a multi-lane highway with grassy median westward until it ends at Broad Street. The "service road" running parallel to Canal Street from Lawrence to Broad Streets used to be the original Canal Street before the urban renewal project of the 1970s, which yielded the multi-highway version of Canal Street. Canal Street is part of Mardi Gras parade route in Mobile and is part of the Hank Aaron Loop around downtown.4
Claiborne Street
Claiborne Street represents the main gateway into downtown Mobile from Interstate 10 eastbound. The highway carries four lanes with a concrete median between Canal Street and the Jackson and Conception Street confluence. Along this stretch is the Mobile Civic Center. The roadway is partially blocked off during Mardi Gras season as the lanes are turned into a staging area for the musical portions of the parades.
| Looking east from the median of Claiborne Street at Mobile Government Plaza and the Lafayette Plaza Hotel. The Interstate 10 Water Street interchange is situated to the right (south). Ahead Franklin Street splits into Jackson Street and Conception Street. Photo taken 10/28/03.
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| The last 1961 MUTCD specifications Interstate 10 shield was posted at the Mobile Civic Center exit onto Claiborne Street. Date stamped October 11, 1972, the shield was posted after the 1972 opening of Interstate 10 south of downtown. Photo taken 10/28/03.
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| A new Interstate 10 shield assembly replaced the 32 year old signs at the Mobile Civic Center exit on May 24, 2004. Fortunately the original assembly is now stored for historic preservation. Photo taken 05/30/04.
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| The Claiborne Street westbound approach of the joint intersection of Canal & Water Streets. A folded diamond interchange facilitates movements onto Interstate 10 westbound ahead. Claiborne Street becomes a westbound frontage road of Interstate 10 through to the Texas Street off-ramp. Photo taken 05/30/04.
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Conception Street/Road
North-south roadway that extends Conception Street out of Mobile northward into Prichard. The highway is dwarfed by Interstate 165 to the east, and passes by wetlands areas before entering an industrial area. The north end is at the Craft Highway adjacent to Interstate 165 and U.S. 90 at Bay Bridge Road.
Conception Street/Road once carried U.S. 43 from Beauregard Street at Water Street northward to Telegraph Road. During Fall of 2001, a bridge on Telegraph Road over a railroad spur adjacent to Interstate 165 was permanently closed. Thus, truncating U.S. 43 north to the intersection of Telegraph Road at Traffic Street near U.S. 90 in Prichard.
| Departing Interstate 165 along Conception Street Road northbound. The highway saw resurfacing to coincide with the completion of the Gulf Mobile & Ohio Transit Center nearby. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| Northbound on old U.S. 43/Conception Street/Road approaching the since dismantled Viaduct Bridge of Telegraph Road. U.S. 43 originally crossed part of the Alabama State Docks via this three-lane span. Photo taken 02/25/02.
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| The scene along Conception Street Road northbound near the site of the former Viaduct Bridge. Note that the new lane configuration. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| Conception Street Road turns left to pass underneath the adjacent Interstate 165 viaduct. Old U.S. 43 still retained a sign bridge and shield assembly until the Viaduct Bridge was dismantled in late 2002. Photo taken 02/25/02.
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| A grassy area and barricade is all that remains at the site of the Viaduct Bridge. Tracks associated with the Alabama State Docks rail yard exist beyond the barrier. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| As of November 2003, this shield assembly includes the only U.S. 43 reassurance shield left over from the original Mobile city routing. The assembly is posted underneath the Interstate 165 southbound viaduct where Conception Street Road turns north. Traffic can turn left here to return to Water or Beauregard Streets or turn into the adjacent Jackson Street public housing complex. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| A look to the north from Conception Street Road at the merge of the Interstate 165 viaducts. The guide sign reads "Prichard" and refers to the connection with the Craft Highway to the north. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| For a short time, the U.S. 43 southbound ramp to Interstate 165 was closed. This ramp has reopened for U-turn traffic associated with the recently renovated GM&O Building transit center on Conception Street/Road. Photo taken 02/25/02.
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| Northbound Conception Street/Road paralleling the Interstate 165 viaduct. The landscape from this location northward for two miles is nothing but wetlands. Photo taken 03/15/02.
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Congress Street
East-west street linking downtown with Bishop State Community College and St. Stephens Road. Congress Street turns at Broad Street to parallel State and Adams Street in the northern reaches of the central business district.
| The western end of Congress Street at the five point intersection with U.S. 45/Saint Stephens Road & Catherine Street. 24" Eagle brand signals are still posted at this junction. Photo taken 10/29/03.
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| Congress street at Kennedy Street facing downtown Mobile. This one-piece four-way signal and associated assembly was deactivated with the signals flashing red. They have since been replaced with a double red flasher. The main campus of Bishop State Community college is straight ahead. Photo taken 03/05/02.
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Cottage Hill Road
Cottage Hill Road begins as a two-lane road from Grant Street (the road where Florida Street ends south of Airport Boulevard). It becomes a multi-lane highway west of Bel Air Mall Boulevard. The road runs through Interstate 65, Azalea Road, University Boulevard, Cody and Schillenger Roads until it ends at County Road 36. Cottage Hill Road used to be part of the infamous "Malfunction Junction" intersection at the I-65 service roads. If you were living in Mobile between the 1970s and the mid-1980s, you would notice four-way stop signs erected along Cottage Hill and Pleasant Valley Roads at the two Interstate 65 service roads. Traffic jams stretching a few miles along Cottage Hill and Pleasant Valley Roads were not uncommon in those days -- a reflection of population moving westward. Traffic control is lot better, thanks to the widening of Cottage Hill Road east of Montilimar Drive and the erection of traffic signals at the service roads during the mid-1980s.4
Further west Cottage Hill Road serves the western part of the city and West Mobile, an unincorporated suburban area of Mobile County. Cottage Hill Road travels as a five-lane surface boulevard west to Schillinger Road; a 2003-05 widening project expanded the roadway from two lanes to four between Cody Road (unsigned Mobile County 37) and Schillinger Road (Mobile County 31). The expansion project resulted in a new crossing and alignment over Second Creek. Beyond Schillinger Road, Cottage Hill Road travels as a two-lane roadway through growing suburbia to the intersection of Jeff Hamilton and Repoll Roads. Many maps show Cottage Hill Road as Mobile County 40, but there are no markers posted along the route whatsoever.
Dauphin Street
Dauphin Street originally existed between downtown Mobile and mid-town Mobile near Interstate 65. During the 1960s and 1970s, Dauphin Street was extended with a new interchange for Interstate 65 westward to McGregor Road as a four lane divided parkway.
Downtown is where Dauphin Street gains its notoriety. The one-way street eastbound cuts through the entertainment and bar district of downtown. Known as the LODA (Lower Dauphin Street Entertainment District)1, attractions include the nearby Saenger Theatre (home to the Mobile Symphony), local pizza parlor favorite Picklefish, and Bienville Square (home to Brown Bag in the Park, a live music concert every Thursday during lunch hour [see Radio Avalon for info].
An article in the November 17, 2003 Mobile Register indicates that the final block of Dauphin Street, Royal Street altogether, and the easternmost block of Saint Francis Street will all be converted from one-way streets to two-way avenues. These changes are sought to improve the accessibility of the under construction RSA Tower and adjacent Battle House Hotel.2
| Midtown
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| Dauphin Street eastbound at the North Beltline Highway. The Beltline Highway is the formal name for the Interstate 65 frontage road system. The parallel roadways begin at U.S. 90/Government Boulevard and travel northward to Spring Hill Avenue. They are home to several businesses and provide access between the east-west arterials. Photo taken 10/31/03.
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| Dauphin Street eastbound is divided with a grassy and tree lined median between McGregor Avenue and Sage Avenue. This photograph looks at one of several traffic lights for shopping complexes and local roadways east of Interstate 65. Northgate Drive is the name of the intersecting
roadway. Photo taken 10/31/03.
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| At Midtown Park East, another set of traffic signals await eastbound Dauphin Street motorists. The highway is busy with commuter and local traffic during the day. Photo taken 10/31/03.
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| Sage Avenue marks the location of the next eastbound traffic light of Dauphin Street. Sage Avenue is a secondary arterial serving Midtown Mobile. The roadway travels north from Cottage Hill Road, passing by the Bel Air Mall and former Springdale Mall site at Airport Boulevard, to Old Shell Road to the north. Photo taken 10/31/03.
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| Dauphin Street loses the grassy median and sees a center turn lane from Sage Avenue eastward through the the Florida Street intersection. Having just crossed the Norfolk Southern Railroad, Dauphin Street transitions into residential areas for the remainder of its journey to Broad Street and downtown. Florida Street is another secondary north-south arterial between U.S. 98/Spring Hill Avenue and U.S. 90/Government Street. Photo taken 10/31/03.
| | Downtown
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| The intersection of Dauphin Street at Joachim Street downtown. This is the entertainment and theatre district of the city. Mobile's Saenger Theatre is one block to the south while Bienville square is one block ahead. Photo taken 11/19/03.
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| Dauphin Street eastbound at Saint Joseph Street. This intersection culminates the LODA (Lower Dauphin Street Entertainment District)1, an area of downtown flanked by bars, night clubs, and other social gathering points. Photo taken 10/24/03.
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| Northward view at the southbound only Saint Joseph Street as it ends at Dauphin Street. A bus only lane is situated to the left adjacent to Bienville Square. A pavilion to the left is often used for live concert performances in the park itself. Photo taken 10/24/03.
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| Looking skyward from Bienville Square at the AM South Skyscraper. This is the highest building in the city of Mobile, and can be seen as far as the Interstate 65 Mobile River Bridges to the north. The building will soon be dwarfed by the $160 million RSA Tower, an 800
foot high rise that is hoped will help revitalize downtown. Photo taken 10/24/03.
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| A traffic light is situated at the Royal & Dauphin Street intersection. Several businesses and corporate offices can be found in the immediate vicinity of this crossing. Photo taken 10/24/03.
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| Looking north at the AM South Building from the intersection of Dauphin and Royal Streets. Photo taken 10/24/03.
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| Interstate 165 trailblazer posted near the east end of Dauphin Street. Water Street travel nine blocks northward to encounter the southern terminus of the 4.90 mile freeway. Photo taken 10/24/03.
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| A closer look at the Interstate 165 trailblazer. To the left is the construction site for the future RSA Tower. Photo taken 10/24/03.
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| The AM South Building as seen from the final block of Dauphin Street to the northwest. Photo taken 10/24/03.
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| The east end of Dauphin Street at Water Street. Ahead is the Mobile River and CSX Railroad spur. To the right is the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center. Ramps to Interstate 10 being in two blocks to the south. Photo taken 10/24/03.
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Delchamps Road
With the closure of Telegraph Road between Water Street and the northern State Docks area, nearby Delchamps and Dekle Roads were improved. These roadways facilitate Telegraph Road traffic with access to the downtown area and Prichard, without having to double back to Interstate 165.
| Delchamps Road northbound at the State Docks Flyover from Beauregard Street. There is no access to the main gate to the docks from Delchamps Road. However Delchamps Road still serves industrial buildings and portions of the railroad facilities associated with the docks. Photo taken 06/03/02.
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| Posted in both directions on Delchamps and Dekle Roads, are trailblazers such as this assembly. This is one of four shield assemblies in the Mobile/Prichard areas that feature all three Interstates at once. Note that the smaller numbers on these neutered shields are common in
the State Docks area, but are rarely seen elsewhere in southern Alabama (Exits 13 and Exit 34 of Interstate 65 are the only other locations with shields such as these). Note the industrial scenery that was mentioned in the write up. Further to the north, many railroad spurs are located along Dekle and Telegraph Roads. Photo taken 06/03/02.
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| U.S. 43 trailblazer northbound on Telegraph Road at the transition from Dekle Road. U.S. 43 and Truck U.S. 90/98 reassurance shields were last posted along this roadway November of 2001. Telegraph Road carries four undivided lanes northward through to the U.S. 43 new terminus at Bay Bridge Road. Photo taken 06/03/02.
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Duval Street
Not to be confused with Duval County, Florida, Duval Street curves between Dauphin Island Parkway (Alabama 163), Michigan Avenue, Ann Street, and Interstate 10 at Exit 24 in south Mobile.
| Duval Street eastbound
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| Original button copy guide sign on Duval Street southbound at the westbound frontage road for Interstate 10. The freeway is situated above, with Duval Street continuing eastward to the Brookley Airport and Industrial Complex. Photo taken 03/07/02.
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| A return visit to the intersection sees the removal of the button copy sign. The Interstate shields and banners however remain. Photo taken 11/05/03.
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| The last block of Duval Street cuts through a residential area before ending near the Brookley Field airport facility. The street appears to have traveled further south at one point, with overgrown pavement across Broad Street. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| Duval Street westbound
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| This Interstate 10 Alabama junction shield is posted on Duval Street westbound before the folded diamond interchange of Exit 24. The date stamp on the back dates this sign to October of 1982. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| Duval Street westbound crosses over a CSX Railroad line before meeting Interstate 10. A frontage road system exists for the freeway eastward from Duval Street to Broad Street. This allows traffic to enter Interstate 10 eastbound at the Broad Street on-ramp. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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Government Street (U.S. 90 and 98)
Tree scaped boulevard that is the main route throughout the Central Business District in the east-west directions. Enters the downtown area as U.S. 90, Government Street carries five lanes from the vicinity of Airport Boulevard and Dauphin Island Parkway into downtown to the Bankhead Tunnel. U.S. 90 and 98 switch off at the intersection with Broad Street, as U.S. 98 continues eastward through to the Bankhead Tunnel, before exiting downtown. Government Street is home to many government related complexes, older victorian style homes, and various pockets of commercial buildings. The route, in conjunction with Broad Street, serves as the main portion of the Mardi Gras parade route during Mardi Gras season.
| East of the Bankhead Tunnel portal, Government Street continues through Royal Street to a conclusion at Water Street. Depicted here is the divided boulevard westbound at Royal Street. The head of the Bankhead Tunnel (U.S. 98) is visible to the left. Beyond is the Mobile Government
Plaza. Photo taken 10/24/03.
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Alabama @ AARoads.com - U.S. Highway 90 East
Alabama @ AARoads.com - U.S. Highway 90 West
Alabama @ AARoads.com - U.S. Highway 98 East
Alabama @ AARoads.com - U.S. Highway 98 West
Holcombe Avenue (Historical U.S. 90)
Holcombe Avenue is a short surface arterial between U.S. 90/Government Street near Alabama 163/Dauphin Island Parkway and Halls Mill Road in Midtown Mobile. The highway is of historical significance, as it represents the original U.S. 90 routing before Government Boulevard to the west was constructed. In conjunction with Halls Mill Road (Mobile County 28), Holcombe Avenue represents the original 1926 routing of U.S. 90 through Midtown and southwest Mobile. A field research trip revealed a "Highway 90 Baptist Church" on Halls Mill Road near the Interstate 65 crossover. A guess at when the present alignment of U.S. 90 came into existence along Government Boulevard places the completion date in the 1930s or 1940s.
| Holcombe Avenue East
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| The split of Holcombe Avenue from Halls Mill Road at Fairway Drive. Holcombe Avenue continues the historical aspect of U.S. 90 northward to Government Street. Halls Mill Road otherwise continues a short distance east to Alabama 163 (Dauphin Island Parkway) and Houston Street. Photo taken 06/13/04.
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| Holcombe Avenue eastbound at the joint intersection of Glenwood and Gosson Streets. Holcombe Avenue travels northeasterly through this intersection to Bankhead Street. There the street turns north-south through to the conclusion at Government Street (U.S. 90). Photo taken 11/13/03.
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| Holcomb Street shifts back to a concrete surface as it draws to a close at Government Street/U.S. 90. This intersection represents the end of historical U.S. 90, as the route continued eastward into downtown along the present alignment. The confluence of Holcomb Street occurs with the Norfolk-Southern Railroad crossing of U.S. 90, northern terminus of Alabama 163/Dauphin Island Parkway one block to the east, and routing of Airport Boulevard one block to the north. Photo taken 06/13/04.
| | Holcombe Avenue West
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| Holcombe Avenue westbound at the intersection with Glenwood and Gosson Streets. Gosson Street travels three blocks to the east, becoming Duval Street at the intersection of Alabama 163/Dauphin Island Parkway. Glenwood Avenue travels north four blocks to Government Street. Photo taken 11/13/03.
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| Holcombe Avenue transitions into Halls Mill Road at the intersection with Fairway Drive. From the left Halls Mill Road enters Holcombe after beginning at nearby Alabama 163/Dauphin Island Parkway. Mobile County 28, unsigned throughout this vicinity, continues from Holcombe Avenue southwestward onto Halls Mill Road. Photo taken 11/13/03.
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| Halls Mill Road westbound at Pleasant Valley Road. Pleasant Valley Road is a secondary arterial spanning from Mobile County 28 westward to Government Street and Cottage Hill Road (Mobile County 40). Photo taken 11/13/03.
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Kennedy Street
Local street between Spring Hill Avenue and Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard.
| A one-piece four way traffic light assembly was posted at the intersection of Congress and Kennedy Streets until Fall of 2002. At that time the traffic lights, which were permanently in flashing mode, were replaced with a four-way double red/yellow flasher. Pictured here is the Kennedy Street southbound perspective at Congress Street and the new assembly.
Alphonso Mason adds:4
"Up until the 1980s, the southern one-piece four-way traffic light was the only one standing at the intersection of Kennedy Street and Martin Luther King Jr Avenue. It used to have both the green and amber lense illuminated until the late-1970s. The two-way traffic signals were latter added at that intersection during the 1980s." Photo taken 06/01/04.
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| North end of Kennedy Street with Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard. Unlike the southern one-piece four-way traffic light, this one is still in full operation. An elementary school is located nearby, and is most likely the reasoning to keep this light in working order. Photo taken 01/25/02.
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Lafayette Street
North-south street between Government Street (U.S. 90) and Martin Luther King Junior
Boulevard. The road passes through mainly residential areas.
| 30" Traffic Signal Corporation signals at the intersection with Saint Stephens Road/U.S. 45 from Lafayette Street northbound. U.S. 45 terminates two blocks to the right. Signals date from at least the 1960s. Photo taken 06/01/04.
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| A second set of 30" signals was posted one block north of U.S. 45 at the intersection with Congress Street. The Crouse Hinds signals pictured here however were replaced by Winter 2004 (see next photo). Congress Street ends one block to the west at a five point intersection with U.S. 45/St. Stephens Road and Catherine Street. One of many neighborhood churches within the city of Mobile is situated to the left. Photo taken 10/29/03.
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| New full sized McCain signals now reside at the intersection of Lafayette and Congress Streets. It appears the city of Mobile is going with the new black face/yellow back signals that are common in states like Delaware, Georgia, and Vermont. Photo taken 06/01/04.
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Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Four lane roadway linking downtown Mobile with Prichard at U.S. 45/Saint Stephens Road. Bishop State Community College and the college's Central Campus are served by this north-south artery. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard used to be called "Davis Avenue" east of Catherine Street and "Stone Street" to the west of Catherine Street. Stone intersection markers bearing the old names are still present at some intersections.4 Unfortunately the neighborhoods along the street have seen better days.
| Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard northbound at Kennedy Street. Kennedy Street turns to the south and connects with Congress Street before ending at Spring Hill Avenue. These 1950s 24" signals feature a one-piece four-way assembly. Photo taken 09/11/02.
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| The northern end of Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, as it merges onto U.S. 45/St. Stephens Road. What makes this intersection complex, is the Craft Highway beginning and departing from the right (east). The Craft Highway, which is the same name given to U.S. 43 throughout most of the state of Alabama, links U.S. 45 with Interstate 165 and U.S. 90 at Bay Bridge Road. One of many strip malls in the immediate area can be seen to the left. It is anchored by the "Urban Zone". Photo taken 03/05/02.
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Michigan Avenue
North-south thoroughfare between the Brookley Airport and Industrial Complex near Interstate 10 Exit 25 and Government Street west of downtown.
| Michigan Avenue North
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| Approaching Interstate 10 on Michigan Avenue northbound. The street begins about 1000 feet behind the camera at Brookley Field & Broad Street. Michigan Avenue is divided with one lane in each direction for the first block, but widens to two lanes per direction at the Interstate. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| Northbound sign bridge for Interstate 10 on Michigan Avenue at the eastbound ramp. This diamond interchange contains a loop ramp from Michigan Avenue northbound to Interstate 10 westbound. Photo taken 11/05/03.
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| Michigan Avenue northbound descending towards working class neighborhood areas of south Mobile at the westbound Interstate 10 ramp. This interchange receives sign bridges for Interstate 10 because of the truck traffic associated with Brookley Field to the south. Photo taken 11/05/03.
| | Michigan Avenue South
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| Adjacent to the abandoned Travel Inn motel is this button copy relic from the Interstate 10 completion. Traffic to Interstate 10 westbound departs to the right. Three miles away is the southern terminus of Interstate 65. Photo taken 11/05/03.
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| A left-hand turn is required for traffic destined to downtown Mobile and Pensacola via Interstate 10 east. Featured here is another non-reflective button copy guide sign. Photo taken 11/05/03.
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| A closer look at the Pensacola button copy guide sign for the Interstate 10 eastbound ramp. The next interchange to the east is Exit 24 with Duval Street. Photo taken 11/05/03.
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Old Shell Road
Sometimes shown on maps as Mobile County 70, the east-west highway connects downtown Mobile with Spring Hill College, the University of South Alabama, and Schillinger Road near the Mobile Coast Guard Base. The highway takes a residential course throughout most of Mobile, with tree scaped yards and only two lanes of travel. Between University Boulevard and Hillcrest Road, the highway underwent expansion in 2004 to four lanes with the inclusion of a concrete divider and turn lanes. Increasing traffic demands from the growing University of South Alabama have necessitated this project, and an eventual four-laning west to Schllinger Road is still planned.
| Old Shell Road begins from Downtown Mobile at Broad Street. At one point, there used to be a traffic signal on that intersection. Construction to fix the flooding problems along Broad Street in 1976-1977 resulted in a cement divider erected along Broad Street from Church Street to Congress Street. As a result drivers can no longer take a left turn from Broad Street north to Old Shell Road west (or to Church and Conti Streets, for that matter). This change resulted in a dramatic decrease of traffic along Old Shell Road from Broad to Ann Streets. The flashing signal pictured here at Hallett Street replaced the 24" Eagle brand signals during the late-1970s/early 1980s.4 Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| The first of two signalized intersections with secondary arterials west of downtown Mobile. Here Ann Street intersects Old Shell Road. Ann Street travels southward to Government Street and Michigan Avenue, allowing traffic an access to Interstate 10 via Exit 24. The older signals along the eastern reaches of Old Shell Road were erected in 1976 from Hallet Street to Sage Avenue (with the exception of Louiselle Street-Kenneth Street). Previously, southern one-piece four-way traffic lights used to be erected along Old Shell Road. Hurricane Frederic in September 1979 blew away some of the 24" Eagle brand signals, and more notably the metal sun visors on signals for the north-south streets facing Old Shell Road (see next photo as well).4 Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| Three blocks to the west is the intersection with Lafayette Street. Again 24" Eagle brand signals with metal sun visors are in place. Lafayette Street is a secondary surface artery between U.S. 90/Government Street and Martin Luther King Junior Drive near the Bishop State Community College North campus. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| The intersection of Old Shell Road westbound with Catherine Street also receives a traffic signal. Catherine Street one block to the north travels to the Old Providence Hospital. This medical facility is now operated by the University of South Alabama Medical Center. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| A skewed intersection exists between Louiselle Street (to the north) and Kenneth Street (to the south) on Old Shell Road westbound. 24" Eagle brand signals are again found at this junction. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| Old Shell Road at the intersection with Upham Street. This north-south street connects U.S. 98/Spring Hill Avenue with Dauphin Street one block to the south. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| The final set of 24" Eagle signals along Old Shell Road is found at the intersection with Florida Street. This secondary street travels north to U.S. 98 where it concludes. Southward the roadway intersects Dauphin Street in four blocks. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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Royal Street
Beginning at historic Fort Conde, Royal Street is a north-south artery that cuts through the eastern portion of the central business district. It is bisected by Interstate 10 at Water Street to the south. Reported in the November 17, 2003 issue of the Mobile Register, Royal Street will soon be converted from a northbound only street into a two-lane street.2
| A look at the downtown Mobile skyline as seen from the block of Royal Street between Church and Government Streets. The current high point of the skyline is that of the AM South Building. However, that is slated to change with the completion of the RSA Tower, a new 34 story high rise slated for the downtown area. Construction is set to begin Summer of 2002, with the $160 million structure towering 800 feet above. The new skyscraper will be the tallest in all of Alabama. As of early November 2003, the foundation has been poured for the new office building. Photo taken 08/21/03; bottom photo taken 06/03.
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| Royal northbound approaching Dauphin Street. The downtown area features a mix of old and new architecture. Visible are homes in the Victorian and French style mixed with American style office complexes. The high rises above are the Van Antwerp and AM South Buildings. First photo taken 06/13/04; remaining photos taken 10/24/03.
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| The intersection of Royal and Dauphin Streets as seen from Royal Street northbound. Some buildings in the central business district resemble those found in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Photo taken 10/24/03.
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Saint Stephens Road (U.S. 45)
Primarily a two lane highway, St. Stephens Road begins at U.S. 98/Spring Hill Avenue, and takes a northwestward swath to Prichard and Interstate 65. The highway cuts through primarily residential areas, with a commercial center at the intersection with Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and the Craft Highway. Overall the road generally carries local traffic through to Interstate 65.
Alabama @ AARoads.com - U.S. Highway 45 North
Alabama @ AARoads.com - U.S. Highway 45 South
Texas Street
A minor arterial between Interstate 10 and Michigan Avenue in south Mobile. Texas Street includes a four lane segment between Broad and Conception Streets. A folded diamond interchange allows access from Interstate 10 west and to Interstate 10 east. However that interchange (Exit 25B) may be eliminated if a new Mobile River Bridge of Interstate 10 is built as envisioned by ALDOT.
Historically speaking, the intersection between Texas Street and Washington Avenue was signalized. However after the Central Texas Street urban renewal project, those signals were removed.4
| Texas Street as it curves to the southeast to intersect Exit 25B of Interstate 10. Depicted here is the Interstate 10 junction shield. The faded sign dates from October 1982. Photo taken 11/20/03.
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| A closer look at the 1979 specifications shield along Texas Street eastbound. While there are four lanes afforded to Texas Street, only a dozen or so vehicles passed by at the time of these photographs during a ten minute span. Photo taken 11/20/03.
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| Interstate 10 eastbound shield posted at the end of the westbound off-ramp to Texas Street. Traffic entering Interstate 10 will reach the Canal Street interchange in one half mile and the Wallace Tunnel in one mile. Photo taken 11/20/03.
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| Neutered Interstate 10 shield assembly facing the end of the Exit 25B off-ramp and Franklin Street. Franklin Street acts as a frontage road along Interstate 10 west. The local street ends with the ramp here at Texas Street. Photo taken 11/20/03.
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| Contextual view of the two shield assemblies, Texas Street, and Interstate 10 above. The northbound on-ramp departs ahead of the intersection with Conception Street. Photo taken 11/20/03.
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Virginia Street
Virginia Street is a secondary arterial between Houston Street and Conception Street/Interstate 10 in south Mobile. The highway serves residential areas to the west and industrial areas east of Interstate 10. A partial cloverleaf interchange facilitates movements to/from Interstate 10 at Exit 24.
| Virginia Street East
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| Adjacent to the Mobile National Cemetery is the signalized intersection of Virginia Street and Gayle Street. This otherwise nondescript intersection is situated within a residential area. Photo taken 11/17/03.
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| Virginia Street eastbound at Broad Street. Broad Street is a secondary arterial between Interstate 10 and Brookley Field north to U.S. 90-98 and Downtown. Featured here are 30" Crouse Hinds signals for the Virginia Street east and westbound directions. Photo taken 11/17/03.
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| One block to the east at the minor arterial of Washington Avenue is a second set of 30" Crouse Hinds signals. Washington Avenue may have been a more important road at one point, but essentially only carries local traffic nowadays. All signals pictured here were replaced by Winter 2004 with McCain brand signals. Photo taken 11/17/03.
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| Virginia Street as it enters the Exit 24 interchange of Interstate 10. This junction is situated between Warren and Franklin Streets. Franklin Street was either relegated to frontage road status or completely built upon by the construction of Interstate 10. Photo taken 11/17/03.
| | Virginia Street West
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| Battered Interstate 10 Alabama shield posted at the intersection of Virginia and Conception Streets along westbound. This shield is dated from October of 1982 but has long since seen better days. There is a cloverleaf ramp for Virginia Street eastbound onto Interstate 10 east. Traffic entering from the west can access Interstate 10 east by taking Conception Street north three blocks to the Texas Street on-ramp.
Photo taken 11/20/03.
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Water Street
Main artery between Interstate 165 and U.S. 90 and Interstate 10. The six lane roadway serves the eastern area of downtown, including the Arthur Outlaw Mobile Convention Center.
| Water Street Northbound
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| Canal Street southbound at the Interstate 10 viaduct and transition to Water Street. This button copy sign is one of a handful to remain in the south of downtown area. An westbound ramp to Interstate 10 via Franklin Street is situated to the right out of camera view. Photo taken 03/05/02.
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| The eastbound Interstate 10 Canal Street off-ramp (Exit 26A) as it ends at the Canal & Water Street confluence. The button copy sign in the background points toward Franklin Street and the Jackson & Conception Street gateway into downtown. Canal Street begins to the left and
travels toward Broad Street. Water Street begins to the right, shadowing Interstate 10 through to Government Street. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| Three views of the Exit 26B Water Street stack interchange for Interstate 10 as seen from Water Street itself to the south. The flyover in the foreground goes to Water Street from eastbound Interstate 10. The sweeping flyover in the background is from westbound Interstate 10 to Water Street. The modified trumpet interchange was to have been the southern terminus of the abandoned Interstate 210. Interstate 165 was built in place of Interstate 210, with Water Street composing a six lane boulevard in place of an elevated freeway viaduct. The grassy area underneath the eastbound flyover ramp is used for parking during Mardi Gras season and other special events in the city. Other parts of the interchange grounds are used for barricade storage and other maintenance purposes. Top photo taken 10/26/99; bottom photos taken 11/03/03.
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| Water Street curves to the north adjacent to the Interstate 10 flyovers for Exit 26B. This view looks at Water Street northbound at Theatre Street. A CSX spur serving the docks associated with a nearby industrial area parallels Water Street and the Mobile River throughout
this vicinity. The white building in the background with large windows is the Arthur Outlaw Convention Center. The CSX railroad spur runs underneath of that complex. The Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal Alabama now resides between Water Street and the Mobile River in this scene. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| The Interstate 10 Exit 26B ramp merges onto Water Street at the intersection with Government Street. The Arthur Outlaw Convention Center comes into view along the Mobile River bank. The catwalk ahead is part of that complex. The high rise to the left is the Adams Mark Hotel. Interstate 165 begins 11 eleven blocks to the north. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| The RSA Tower rises along Water Street at St. Francis Street as of summer 2006. At the time of this photo, all but the spire of the skyscraper was complete. Compare the scene in the above photograph to this one as Alabama's tallest building now takes center stage as Mobile's centerpiece. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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| Peering northward from the Arthur Outlaw Convention Center catwalk above Water Street between Conti and Government Streets. Visible in the background are the Alabama State Docks and U.S. 90 & U.S. 98 Truck Cochrane-Africatown Bridge over the Mobile River. Photo taken 06/13/04.
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| Older traffic light assembly at the east end of Saint Louis Street. Many of these older style mast arms are abandoned throughout the northern reaches of the central business district. At those intersections, traffic lights were deemed unnecessary, and stop signs were put in place instead.
Photo taken 10/24/03.
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| Water Street northbound at St. Francis Street. This east-west street begins from a parking area to the right. Westward, St. Francis street crosses the central business district parallel to eastbound only Dauphin Street. Photo taken 10/24/03.
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| Approaching the east end of Congress Street. Congress Street is travels as a divided secondary arterial westward to the Bishop State Community College main campus at Broad Street. The end of the street occurs at U.S. 45. Photo taken 10/24/03.
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| An Interstate 65 trailblazer was added to the shield assembly pictured above by Summer 2006. Photo taken 06/06/06. |
| Six lanes of Water Street continue northward in this scene at Adams Street. Junction Interstate 165 and U.S. 90 shields indicate to drivers that the southern terminus of Interstate 165 and intersection with Beauregard Street is forthcoming. Photo taken 10/24/03.
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| Two banks of shields are posted for the upcoming Beauregard Street intersection of Water Street. When Interstate 210 was planned, a spur alternate was conceptualized for the freeway. The spur would have taken the freeway through Beauregard Street with an interchange there
and an end within the vicinity of this location. Photo taken 11/03/03.
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Northbound on Water Street at the northbound beginning of Interstate 165 and U.S. 90/Truck U.S. 98. The plethora of shields indicates that U.S. 43 no longer exists through this stretch. Originally, U.S. 43 was the one to follow Beauregard Street and Conception Street/Road. Truncation of that route became official by fall of 2001, with a rerouting of U.S. 90 along the same path.
The HC sign is trailblazer for all trucks carrying hazardous cargo. All Hazmats must follow U.S. 90/Truck U.S. 98 north to cross the Africatown/Cochrane Bridge in lieu of the Bankhead and Wallace Tunnels to the south.
The complex on the southwest corner of the Water & Beauregard Streets is that of the Mobile Press Register Building. On the northeast corner is the Gulf Mobile & Ohio Building.
First two photos taken 10/24/03; last photo taken 11/03/03.
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| A look at the renovated Gulf Mobile & Ohio Building at the corner of Water and Beauregard Streets. Built in the early 1900s, the building was abandoned in the 1970s and sat unused for twenty years. In 1999 a restoration project began to convert the structure into a transit hub and office space. Photo taken 06/13/04.
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| Water Street Southbound
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Water Street southbound between State and St. Anthony Streets. The new RSA Tower rises along Water Street between St. Louis and Dauphin Streets ahead. Photo taken 06/06/06. |
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Construction of the RSA Tower severed St. Francis Street between Water and Royal Street. Mast arms remain in place minus their traffic lights at the Water Street intersection with St. Francis Street. Perhaps the mast arms will serve the RSA parking facility upon completion of the RSA Tower project. Photo taken 06/06/06. |
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Construction continues on an adjoining building to the main RSA Tower between St. Francis and Dauphin Streets along Water Street south. Dauphin Street travels through the downtown entertainment district and ends at Water Street. Photo taken 06/06/06. |
| Southward view of Water Street at the east end of Government Street near downtown Mobile. The Imax theatre to the right is associated with the Exploreum Museum complex. The complex offers art and cultural exhibits from around the world. To the left is the Arthur Outlaw Convention Center. The Bankhead Tunnel of U.S. 98 is directly underneath this intersection. Photo taken 06/13/04.
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| Water Street southbound at the ramps to Interstate 10 and split with Church Street westbound. The Mobile Civic Center is located four blocks to the right via Church Street to Franklin Street. Franklin Street ties into Canal & Water Streets to the south. Photos taken 06/13/04.
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| Views of the Exit 26B on-ramps to Interstate 10 south of Government Street. The George C. Wallace Tunnels for Interstate 10 are underneath this location. The return flyover for Water Street northbound soars overhead while Interstate 10 bound traffic prepares to split into the east and westbound ramps. This configuration was to have carried Interstate 210 motorists onto Interstate 10, completing the urban loop system of the city with Interstate 65 to the west. Otherwise Interstate 10 eastbound traffic curves sharply to the east and a descent toward the George C. Wallace Tunnels. Interstate 10 westbound traffic continues straight and merges onto the mainline from the left. Photos #1 & #2 taken 06/13/04; Photos #3 & #4 taken 06/06/06.
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Random Mobile area scenes
| An aerial view of the Mobile central business district, Alabama State Docks, Interstate 165, and the hills of north Mobile County. Photo taken 06/13/04.
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| Church Street
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| Church Street eastbound at Claiborne Street on the south side of downtown. To the right Claiborne merges with Jackson Street to become the east-west Franklin Street. The Mobile Civic Center is situated just to the south while the Mobile Government Plaza is straight ahead. Photo taken 10/28/03.
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| In the shadow of Fort Conde and the Mobile Government Plaza is the intersection of Church Street with Royal Street. Ahead is the Water Street ramps to/from Interstate 10. The traffic signals displayed here are replacements of 30" Crouse Hinds signals. Photo taken 11/20/03.
| | Florida Street
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| Florida Street is a secondary arterial in Midtown Mobile between Airport Boulevard and Spring Hill Avenue (U.S. 98). The north-south roadway primarily cuts through residential neighborhoods on the trek. Depicted here are 30" Crouse Hinds signals at the intersection with Old Shell Road. Photo taken 10/31/03.
| | Jackson Street
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| Jackson Street southbound at St. Louis Street north of downtown Mobile. Almost all of the traffic signals north of Dauphin Street between Broad and Water Streets were removed and replaced with stop signs. The area was completely dead at the time of this photograph and next to no traffic was encountered here. St Louis Street and Joachim Street (one block to the east) compose the original U.S. 90 alignment between Broad and Conception Streets.
Alphonso Mason adds "There is history behind most of those traffic signals in Downtown Mobile being removed and replaced with stop signals. During the 1970s, 24" Crouse Hind signals with metal sun visors used to be erected on those older style mast arms along the inner downtown area (running north-south from St Anthony Street to Conti Street; running east-west from Royal Street to Claiborne Street/Martin Luther King Avenue). Hurricane Frederic in September 1979 blew away most of those traffic signals off of those mast arms. I recall those traffic signals on Dauphin Street at Joachim and Jackson Streets the only ones survived the storm fully intact. Frederic only accelerated the (brief) decline of Downtown Mobile. At one point, older traffic signals replaced the some of destroyed Crouse Hind signals at some of the downtown streets. Eventually, the traffic signals were taken down at downtown intersections never seeing traffic."
Photo taken 06/13/04.
| | Mobile Regional Airport
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| This set of brown overheads greet motorists departing the Mobile Regional Airport. The airport terminal itself is accessible from Airport Boulevard. Interstate 10 and 65 trailblazers are posted along Airport Boulevard and Schillinger Road in the vicinity to guide visitors to the respective freeways. Photo taken 08/21/03.
| | Montlimar Drive
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| The north end of Montlimar Drive as it intersects Airport Boulevard. Airport Boulevard maintains six through lanes and two service roads between Interstate 65 and Azalea Road/McGregor Road. The busy interaction between the mainline and the frontage roads allows for longer traffic signal phases. Photo taken 11/04/03.
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| Thus traffic turning right onto Airport Boulevard eastbound from Montlimar Drive northbound is advised to turn right onto the eastbound frontage road to merge via a slip ramp onto Airport. Right-hand turns directly onto Airport Boulevard from Montlimar are only permitted on green because of the westbound Frontage Road lane. Photo taken 11/04/03.
| | Pleasant Valley Road
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| Older 24" Eagle brand signals at the Pleasant Valley Road intersection with McRae Avenue. Pleasant Valley Road carries Mobile County 40 eastward from Cottage Hill Road to the Government Boulevard (U.S. 90) intersection ahead. Photo taken 06/13/04.
| | Spring Hill Avenue
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| Spring Hill Avenue eastbound as it merges with Moffett Road to overtake U.S. 98 at Midtown Mobile. The area bustles with commuter traffic and associated shopping plazas. Photo taken 10/29/03.
| | Saint Joseph Street
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| The intersection of Saint Joseph and Dauphin Streets. The same French cultural influence that exists in New Orleans also exists in portions of downtown Mobile. This results in similar French based names and architecture to some of the area homes and businesses. To the left of this scene is the Bienville Square and Fountain. A story printed in the November 17, 2003 edition of the Mobile Register indicates that the city is considering converting the one-way Saint Louis Street into
a two-way street.2 Photo taken 10/24/03.
| | Saint Louis Street
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| 30" Traffic Signal Corporation signals hang above the St. Louis and Washington Street intersection north of downtown Mobile. St. Louis Street carries two lanes eastbound between Broad and Water Streets. The street carried the first routing of U.S. 90 between Broad and Joachim Streets in the 1920s and early 30s. Photo taken 06/13/04.
| | Stanton Road
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| One of the few mast arm signal assemblies outside of the downtown area of Mobile. Partially concealed by foliage, this signal assembly is located on Stanton Road northbound at Pleasant Avenue. Pleasant Avenue is a short connector between Stanton Road and U.S. 45/Saint
Stephens Road to the east. Photo taken 10/31/03.
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| The intersection is located on Stanton Road northbound at Fillinghim Street. Featured here are 30" Traffic Signal Corporation brand signals. Stanton Road continues northbound into the Prichard city limits, ultimately leading to the Interstate 65 Beltline Highway near Exit 8. Photo taken 10/29/03.
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Sources:
- George Hill
- "Mobile considers change to two-way streets downtown." Mobile Register, November 17, 2003
- City of Mobile website
- Alphonso Mason, email: "Mobile City Guide Section of SouthEastRoads: Contributions." June 26, 2006.
Page Updated June 28, 2006.
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