Craft Highway
Two lane highway linking U.S. 45/St. Stephens Road at the north end of Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard. The Craft Highway transitions into Martin Luther King Junior Drive just west of Interstate 165. With the completion of the freeway, the configuration of Craft Highway was altered to allocate room for the Exit 2 Bay Bridge Road Interchange. U.S. 43 is named the John Craft Highway throughout the state of Alabama. This alignment in Prichard and Mobile is most likely the original routing for U.S. 43.
| The Craft Highway eastbound transitions to Bay Bridge Road at this confluence. The north end of Conception Street/Road is just behind the camera, with Interstate 165, the southbound Interstate 165 frontage road, and a railroad crossing ahead. The railroad crossing is that of a short spur between the State Docks and northwest Prichard. Photo taken 03/05/02.
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| Closer inspection of the shield assembly depicted in the above photograph. U.S. 90 and Truck U.S. 98, enter the scene from Bay Bridge Road to the east, and continue south along Interstate 165. U.S. 43, which was truncated to Bay Bridge Road in Prichard, is located to the east. The relocation of U.S. 90 and removal of Truck U.S. 90 was apparent in 1999, even though signage changes of the relocation of U.S. 90 were not changed in downtown Mobile until Fall of 2001. Photo taken 10/26/99.
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| As indicated with the shield assembly depicted in the above photobox, the southbound ramp to Interstate 165 where U.S. 90 and Truck U.S. 98 west merge with the freeway, is located to the right. Continuing straight begins Bay Bridge Road, and sees traffic enter onto the same two routes in the eastbound direction. The northbound Interstate 165 ramp is located nearby via the northbound frontage road. In all related Interstate 165 guide signage, no control city is given for the northbound direction. Photo taken 03/05/02.
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Interstate 165 Frontage Roads
On each side of Interstate 165, multilane frontage roads carry traffic between freeway ramps and Wilson Ave, Price Ave, Whistler Street, Martin Luther King Jr Drive, and Bay Bridge Road. The frontage roads are one-way in the corresponding side of the Interstate.
| The southbound frontage road merges directly on Interstate 165 south/U.S. 90/Truck U.S. 98 west at Bay Bridge Road/Exit 2. This shield assembly is located on that ramp, and includes Detour Interstate 10. These detour shields went up during 1999, and still are in place today. They are signed all along U.S. 90 between downtown Mobile and Spanish Fort via Battleship Parkway. We have yet to figure out why they are in use. Photo taken 10/26/99.
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| Interstate 165 and 65 shield assemblies on the
northbound frontage road near Bay Bridge Road. This ramp facilitates Bay Bridge Road/Truck U.S. 98 (Exit 2)
traffic with access to Interstate 65, and ultimately Interstate 10. The frontage roads themselves carry six
lanes between U.S. 90 & U.S. 98 Truck and Whistler Street. Photos taken 10/25/03.
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| At various intervals, u-turn lanes are placed within the
frontage roads to allow access to corresponding Interstate 165 onramps. This ramp is situated on the
northbound frontage road between Wilson Avenue and Price Avenue to allow traffic to access the southbound
ramp from Exit 1C. This practice is commonplace in the state of Texas for freeways, but is rarely used
in Alabama. Photo taken 03/05/02.
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| Like the southbound frontage road at Exit 2, the northbound frontage road becomes a ramp to Interstate 65 at Exit 1C. The crossroad is that of Whistler Street. Upon merging onto Interstate 165, drivers must quickly move into the appropriate lane for Interstate 65 north or south. Photo taken 03/15/02.
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Lovejoy Loop
One-way loop carrying two to three lanes around Wilson Avenue in the vicinity of Main Street. The area that Lovejoy loop appears to be a formerly important commericial center. Unfortunately hard economic times have taken their time on the area, with at least half of the former shops abandoned and left to decay. Lovejoy loop passes nearby City Hall at the intersection of Main Street and Prichard Avenue to the east of Wilson Avenue. We feature the Lovejoy Loop because of the bounty of reliclike traffic signals located along it.
| 24" Eagle traffic signals adorn this span wire on southbound Lovejoy Loop West at Prichard Avenue. The timing of these signals is archaic, in that the transition from color to color is coincided with the illumination of both colors for a brief spell. Note in the photograph that the Prichard Avenue westbound traffic light missing its visors has both the green and amber lense illuminated. This timing is the case on several of the older signal assemblies within the downtown Prichard vicnity. Photo taken 04/17/02.
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| A classic 1940s era one-piece four way signal floats above the northbound Lovejoy Loop East intersection with Prichard Avenue. The controls on the timing for this signal actually black out the signal between color changes. As witnesssed in this photograph, the traffic light was switching from amber to red. Note in the background another 1940s era one-piece four-way signal at the intersecton with Main Street (see photo below). Photo taken 04/17/02.
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| Closeup of the above depicted signal. Note the older green lense illuminated this time. Thanks to Signalfan for information regarding the dates of these signals. For more background on the history of traffic signals, go to Signalfan.com. Photo taken 04/17/02.
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| Lovejoy Loop East northbound at Main Street. This signal also dates from the 1940s, and probably saw a lot of traffic in its heyday. With the decline in Prichard's prosperity, the rise of the suburbs, and the arrival of Interstate 165 (depicted to the left) even, this intersection is nothing more then a shadow of its former self. See the Main Street section below for more photographs of this particular signal. Photo taken 04/17/02.
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Main Street
Essentially a local street now, Main Street has seen better days. The roadway begins at Prichard Avenue near Interstate 165 at Prichard City Hall. The street bisects Lovejoy Loop and crosses the old commericial district of Wilson Avenue. The highway follows the orientation of the city limits of Prichard, cutting to the north and west, passing underneath Interstate 65, and continuing to the northwest portion of the municipal boundaries.
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1940s one-piece four way signal between Main Street and Lovejoy Loop East. Interesting enough, Main Street crosses the much busier Wilson Avenue one block to the west, with no signal between the two highways. This gives more credence to the claim that the signal dates from times when the intersection with Lovejoy Loop East was much busier.
As for the signal itself, an green arrow cross lense is in place, because Lovejoy Loop East is one-way in the northbound direction. These lenses are no longer used (usually a green ball and green arrow side by side configuration is used) in current signal configurations. However, they can be found in older urban areas, such as Wilmington, Delaware. Note also that the amber ball and green arrow lenses are both illuminated at the same time in the top photograph. This crude lighting sequence stems from older signals, and is present in other Prichard area signals, such as that at Lovejoy Loop West at Prichard Avenue. As is the case with the wrong-way direction of the signal facing the north over Lovejoy Loop East, two of the three lenses have been smashed. Photo taken 04/17/02.
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| Looking westbound on Main Street at the intersection with Lovejoy Loop East and one-piece four-way traffic signal. In the distance is the intersection with Wilson Avenue, situated between two rows of dilapidated buildings. Photo taken 04/15/02.
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| End of Main Street eastbound at Prichard Avenue and Phillips Street, a five-point intersection. The city municipal complex is off to the right of this intersection. The traffic lights are religated to flash red, as stop signs are now in place for Main Street. Note also that only signal faces each direction. Photo taken 04/15/02.
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Dr. 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.
| 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 imediate area can be seen to the left. It is anchored by the "Urban Zone". Photo taken 03/05/02.
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Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Drive
Was the continuation of Craft Highway, but was renamed in honor of the civil rights leader. The highway begins at a relocated intersection with Craft Highway and Bay Bridge Road near Interstate 165. Continuing north through Interstate 165, the roadway passes through older residential areas to the north. North end of the route is wit Wilson Avenue near the Chickasaw city limit. This, along with the southern segment of Craft Highway, was most likely the original U.S. 43. North of Meaher Avenue, traffic light assemblies can be found with only one light per direction.
| This northbound intersection with Elm Street is typical of urban landscapes in southern cities outside of the central business district. Note that only one 24" signal is posted for each direction of this intersection. This is typical for areas with low traffic counts within the city of Prichard. Photo taken 04/17/02.
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| Diaz Street westbound at Martin Luther King Junior Drive. This area of Prichard, and the southern portions of Chickasaw, are a mixture of industrial and residential zones. The area is not doing well economically however, an issue that is commong throughout most residential/industrial hybrid areas. Therefore the traffic counts are low, and again only one signal per direction is maintained. This signal could easily be deactivated, as I noted very little traffic for the middle of a weekday. Photo taken 04/17/02.
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Meaher Avenue
Decommissioned
Alabama 194 is shown on 1950s-70s highway maps. The route followed all of Meaher Avenue between U.S. 43 and Wilson Avenue (former U.S. 43). With the completion of Interstate 165, the western end of Meaher Avenue at Wilson Avenue was obliterated. The associated neighborhood areas were also razed. The street now turns to the north of the northbound Interstate 165 frontage Road, curving to an end with Wilson Avenue. From Martin Luther King Junior Drive eastward, the roadway passes through blighted residential areas through to U.S. 43.
| An extremely old junction U.S. 43 shield on Meaher Avenue
eastbound for ther former terminus of Alabama 194 at Telegraph Road. Photo taken 04/17/02.
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Prichard Avenue
East-west roadway that connects the city government complex near Martin Luther King Junior Drive with neighbhorhoods in north-central Mobile at Stanton Road.
| Prichard Avenue eastbound at Summerville Street. The area
basically receives light traffic, and probably does not even warrent a signal, let alone a protected left
turn. For those who are not familiar with the intersection, determining that the left signal is for traffic
turning left may not be so easily detected. There is no red arrow, no "left turn signal" sign, and only one
traffic light for Prichard Avenue through traffic. These older 24" signals were replaced by 2003 with
36" McCain signals. Photo taken 03/28/02.
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| The replacement traffic signals at the intersection of
Prichard Avenue and Summerville Street. Pedestrian signals are now in place as well. Photo taken 10/31/03.
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| Eastbound Prichard Avenue at U.S. 45/Saint Stephens Road.
This signal assembly is more modern, as the intersection is with a main thoroughfare. The city limits of
Mobile and Prichard exist along south side of Prichard Avenue. Photo taken 10/31/03.
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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. Upon crossing into the city limits of Prichard, the highway is dotted with gas stations, small shopping plazas, and fast food restaurants. The highway widens to four lanes near Interstate 65 and continues its multilane affair to Alabama 217. Overall the road generally carries local traffic through to Interstate 65, but picks up light long-distance traffic bound for Citronelle and Meridian, Mississippi.
| U.S. 45 northbound, just past the Martin Luther King Junior
Boulevard/Craft Highway intersection, approaching Wilson Avenue. St. Stephens road turns to the left at
Wilson Avenue, with Wilson drifting northeastward towards downtown Prichard. Strip malls and fast food
restraurants dot the vicinity. Photo taken 11/12/03.
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| U.S. 45 northbound shield, directing drivers to continue
northward around the bend. The city limits of Prichard are a short distance to the north. The intersection
depicted is that of Wilson Avenue southbound merging with U.S. 45. At one point, Wilson Avenue was signed as
Alternate U.S. 43. Some maps still show this designation, however it has been removed from the Alabama
numbering system for many years. Photo taken 11/12/03.
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Alabama @ AARoads.com - U.S. Highway 45 North
Alabama @ AARoads.com - U.S. Highway 45 South
Telegraph Road (U.S. 43)
U.S. 43 follows the industrialized Telegraph Road southward to the intersection with Traffic Street at U.S. 90/Truck U.S. 98/Bay Bridge Road. Mileposts coincide with the terminus at this intersection, however no end sign is in place. All of the U.S. 43 related signage was removed from Telegraph Road between the aforementioned intersection southward through the State Docks area into Mobile. An aging bridge over a state docks railroad spur was permenantly closed along Telegraph Road near the south end of Interstate 165, thus truncating the route to Prichard. The change was made official with the removal of U.S. 43 shields from Broad Street, Beauregard Street, and Conception Street/Road at Interstate 165 by late Fall of 2001. U.S. 43 overall in Mobile County has an industrial feel, with many plants located within access of the Mobile River.
Alabama @ AARoads.com - U.S. Highway 43 North
Alabama @ AARoads.com - U.S. Highway 43 South
Whistler Street
Main north-south thoroughfare between Wilson Avenue and Shelton Beach Road (Alabama 213) to the north. Whistler Street carries four lanes north through to Interstate 165, but reduces to two lanes and carries a 35 mph speed limit throughout older neighborhood areas near the confluence of Interstate 65 and 165. The entrance to Chickasbogue Park is located off of Whistler Street to the northwest of Interstate 65.
| Whistler Street northbound at Interstate 165 near the northern terminus of the freeway. Whistler Street, which was rebuilt with the construction of Interstate 165 between 1993/94, is four lanes and divided at this point. However, after passing northward, the highway reverts to two lanes. On Whistler Street and Price Avenues, Interstate 165 southbound is given the control city of Mobile. At points further south, the Interstate has no control city. Photo taken 03/15/02.
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| This area of Prichard is fairly "lost", situated between Interstate 65 (depicted in the background) and Interstate 165 (behind the camera). The intersection is with Turner Road. Old standards or lack of funding deleanates that only one traffic light per direction is in place. This type of assembly is common throughout residential and other low-traffic count areas of Prichard. Photo taken 03/15/02.
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| Across Interstate 65 to the north on Whistler Street from the above depicted intersection with Turner Road, is the short dead-ending road known as Greer Street. Greer Street may have gone further before Interstate 65 and 165 were constructed, but now it is only one block long with a few houses along the west side of it. Those who live on that street have this to view from their front door - the Interstate 65/165 stack interchange. Photo taken 03/15/02.
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Wilson Avenue
Asides Saint Stephens Road, Wilson Avenue is regarded as the main drive through Prichard. The highway was formerly signed as Alternate U.S. 43 (termination of that route came about in the 1970s), and had a more important role before the advent of Interstate 165. Although the city, and associated landscape of Wilson Avenue has seen better days, the roadway still carries a significant amount of traffic in the everyday affairs of the city.
| Older style U.S. 45 junction shield on Wilson Avenue south
nearing the end with Saint Stephens Road. This shield most likely dates from the Alternate U.S. 43
designation. The urban decay is not as prevalent at this location, with more modern strip malls and fast few
franchises present. Photo taken 06/03/02.
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| However the urban decay has a firm grip slightly further to the north at this intersection with Lovejoy Loop. The 24" Eagle signals are most likely from the 1960s or 70s, and are really showing their age. Wilson Avenue widens to four rutted lanes at this point, with a hodgepodge of abandoned structures on each side of the highway. Photo taken 03/11/02.
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| Junction Interstate 165 shield on Wilson Avenue northbound.
Note the breezeway like structure in front of the street malls. This probably was a 1960s concept that never panned out in popularity. The building to the left houses a flea market, and is one of the more successful businesses within this area. Photo taken 03/11/02.
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| Wilson Avenue northbound at the southbound Interstate 165 frontage road. Note the lack of control city for northbound, which is always the case for Interstate 165 related signage. The viaduct itself carries six lanes of travel with a 65 mph speed limit. Quite generous for an urban freeway. Photo taken 03/11/02.
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| Side perspective of the Interstate 65 and 165 shields depicted in the above photograph. Note also the expansive viaduct above. Interstate 165 is elevated for its entire 4.31 miles. Photo taken 03/11/02.
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Page Updated July 7, 2004.
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