Prichard @ AARoads
The fourteenth largest city in the state of Alabama, Prichard, "The City of Champions", is also the largest city in Mobile metropolitan asides Mobile itself. 28,633 residents call the city home. The municipality is in dire straights as far as its economic situation, which is an overall reflection of the city of Mobile and its similar economic issues. Why a scope on Prichard? It is in the forgotten parts of cities in America where one can find the best examples of old architecture, design, and artwork. The same rule applies to highway infrastructure, and Prichard is no exception. Additionally Prichard sees portions of Interstates 65 and 165, U.S. 43, 45, 90, and Truck U.S. 98, important roads in regional traffic movements.
We have taken various photographs in and around the downtown area over the course of January 2002 and November of 2003. Click a camera icon to view photographs within the vicinity. See the main indices for overall photographs covering Interstates 65 and 165.
Bay Bridge Road (U.S. 90/Truck U.S. 98)
Bay Bridge Road loops to the north of downtown Mobile and the State Docks. The road carries U.S. 90 and Truck U.S. 98 signage as it crosses the Africatown-Cochrane cable-stayed bridge over the Mobile River. Speed limits on the road vary from 45 in Prichard to 55 on the east shore of the Mobile River.
Alabama @ AARoads - U.S. Highway 90 East
Alabama @ AARoads - U.S. Highway 90 West
| Bay Bridge Road east |
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Bay Bridge Road begins at the Craft Highway northward turn onto Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive near the Prichard and Mobile city line. The four-lane divided highway continues east directly into its merge with U.S. 90 & 98 Truck at junction Interstate 165. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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Interstate 165 gains frontage roads from Bay Bridge Road northward to Whistler Street. Drivers bound for the northbound freeway utilize the northbound side service road briefly before merging onto the viaduct. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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Bay Bridge Road eastbound at the Interstate 165 south & U.S. 90 westbound on-ramp. U.S. 90 splits with Interstate 165 north and joins Bay Bridge Road east to the Cochrane-Africatown Bridge; U.S. 98 Truck follows Bay Bridge Road east as well, but its routing southward appears to have been removed in favor of a northerly path along Interstate 165 to 65 with sign changes noted between 1999 and 2007.
The relocation of U.S. 90 from Government Street to the Bay Bridge Road loop 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. U.S. 43, which used to follow Telegraph Road south to Beauregard Street, was truncated to its grade separated intersection with Bay Bridge Road as well. Photos taken 11/21/08 & 07/17/07. |
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Continuing straight carries drivers to the Plateau and Magazine communities of north Mobile. 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. Photos taken 11/21/08. |
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Craft Highway
Two lane highway linking U.S. 45 (St. Stephens Road) at the north end of Martin Luther King Jr Avenue. The Craft Highway transitions into Martin Luther King Junior Drive (which is the original Craft Highway between Bay Bridge Road and U.S. 43) 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 was the original alignment of U.S. 43 in 1947, and later became a part of U.S. 43 Alternate when U.S. 43 shifted to Telegraph Road..
| Craft Highway North |
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South Craft Highway northbound at the beginning of Bay Bridge Road. Bay Bridge Road leads east directly to the Exit 2 diamond interchange with Interstate 165 & U.S. 90-98 Truck. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive begins and heads north; this road represents the original U.S. 43 and Craft Highway. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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Craft Highway resumes in name at the merge of Wilson Avenue (former U.S. 43 Alternate) and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. The four-lane arterial continues north to a signalized intersection with 12th Avenue at the Prichard and Chickasaw city line. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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Short Street provides a connection from Craft Highway northbound to U.S. 43 (Telegraph Road) southbound. Westward Short Street ties into Lee Street, Chickasaw's main east-west street. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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Craft Highway merges with U.S. 43 at the north end of Telegraph Road. This intersection represents the historic end of U.S. 43 Alternate. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
| Craft Highway South |
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Southbound Craft Highway meets 12th Avenue at the Prichard city line. 12th Avenue heads west to Oroquis Street along the Chickasaw city line and east to U.S. 43 (Telegraph Road). Photo taken 07/17/07. |
| Scenes pertaining to Craft Highway |
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Short Street westbound at Craft Highway. Beyond the intersection, Lee Street begins and angles northwest to Exit 10 of Interstate 65. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
Interstate 165 Frontage Roads
Three lane frontage roads parallel the Interstate 165 viaduct through the city of Prichard. These were built in conjunction with the 1994-completed freeway to provide access between the Interstate and the various cross streets in the city. Texas style u-turn ramps join the one-way roadways at Bay Bridge Road, by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Wilson Avenue, and near Price Avenue.
| Interstate 165 Service Road north |
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Interstate 165 and 65 trailblazers posted along the northbound frontage road after the intersection with U.S. 90 (Bay Bridge Road). The adjacent on-ramp carries vehicles onto Interstate 165 north ahead of the Exit 1C off-ramp to Wilson Avenue. Trucks bypassing the George C. Wallace Tunnel of Interstate 10 are directed onto Interstate 165 north to Interstate 65 south. Photos taken 10/25/03. |
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A look at the u-turn ramp connecting the northbound frontage road with the southbound service road. This ramp lies north of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. Photo taken 03/05/02. |
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Northbound on the I-165 Service Road at Wilson Avenue. Wilson Avenue represents the historic alignment of U.S. 43 Alternate and Alabama 193. The four-lane arterial leads south into central Prichard and north to U.S. 43 (Craft Highway) in Chickasaw. Beyond the traffic light here, the frontage road continues to a northbound on-ramp before intersecting Price Avenue. Photo taken 01/25/09. |
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Like the southbound frontage road at Exit 2, the northbound frontage road forms the on-ramp to Interstate 65 from Whistler Street. Whistler Street angles northwest from Elm Street to junction Alabama 213 (Shelton Beach Road) in northwest Prichard. Photo taken 03/15/02. |
| Interstate 165 Service Road south |
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Exit 2 brings motorists from Interstate 165 south ahead of the service road intersection with U.S. 90 (Bay Bridge Road) at the Mobile city line. Bay Bridge Road carries truck traffic east to the Cochrane-Africatown Bridge in lieu of the Bankhead and George C. Wallace Tunnels. U.S. 98 Truck joins the route as well. Photo taken 11/21/08. |
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The southbound serice road merges onto Interstate 165 south and ends. U.S. 90 west utilizes the ramp to connect with the viaduct southward to Water and Beauregard Streets. Photo taken 11/21/08. |
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Ascending onto the Interstate 165 & U.S. 90 viaduct from Bay Bridge Road. Detour Interstate 10 concides with U.S. 98 Truck along the loop north from Blakeley Island to Prichard. Photo taken 10/26/99. |
Lovejoy Loop
One-way loop carrying two to three lanes around Wilson Avenue in the vicinity of Main Street. The loop formed part of one-way couplet for original Alabama 193 before Wilson Avenue was built in between.
Unfortunately hard economic times have taken their time on the central Prichard 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, on a stretch that was Alabama 193 north in 1977.
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30" Eagle traffic signals adorned this span wire on southbound Lovejoy Loop West at Prichard Avenue. The timing of these signals was archaic, in that the transition from color to color was coincided with the illumination of both colors for a brief spell. Note in the photograph that the Prichard Avenue westbound traffic light was missing its visors and both the green and amber lenses illuminated simultaneously.
These relics were replaced by 2004 with conventional 42" Eagle signals (pictured in the second photo). Photos taken 04/17/02 & 07/17/07. |
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Lovejoy Loop West turns eastward at Wilson Avenue to become Lovejoy Loop East northward toward Prichard city hall. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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A classic 1940s era one-piece four way signal floated 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 witnessed 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 intersection with Main Street (see photo below).
Unfortunately the four-way signal was replaced with conventional 42" Eagle signals by 2004. Photos taken 04/17/02 & 07/17/07. |
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Close up of the above pictured signal. Note the older green lens illuminated this time. Thanks to Signalfan for information regarding the dates of these signals. Photo taken 04/17/02. |
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Lovejoy Loop East northbound at Main Street. This signal also dated 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 (visible 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.
The replacement of this signal followed in 2004 with standard 42" assemblies. Photos taken 04/17/02 & 07/17/07. |
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 commercial 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 lens was 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 antiquated lighting sequence was a standard in these older assemblies.
This signal was replaced with standard 42" Eagle lights by 2004. Photo taken 04/17/02. |
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Looking westbound on Main Street at the intersection with Lovejoy Loop East and the former 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 relegated 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. |
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.
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This northbound intersection with Elm Street is typical of urban landscapes in southern cities outside of the central business district. Note that only one 30" signal was posted for each direction of this intersection. This was typical for areas with low traffic counts within the city of Prichard.
Since this photo was taken, standard 42" Eagle signals were installed at this intersection. 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, feature a mixture of industrial and residential zones. The area is not doing well economically however, an issue that is common throughout most residential/industrial hybrid areas. Therefore the traffic counts are low, and only one signal per direction is maintained. This signal could easily be deactivated, as we noted very little traffic for the middle of a weekday... Photo taken 07/17/07. |
| Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive south |
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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive expands to four lanes after the intersection with Meaher Street (former Alabama 194) on the approach to junction Interstate 165. Photo taken 01/25/09. |
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An older shield assembly still directs motorists southward along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to the Interstate 165 West frontage road for U.S. 43 and Truck U.S. 90-98. U.S. 43 used to travel south into Mobile, but was truncated with the removal of the Telegraph Road viaduct over the Alabama State Docks Railroad. U.S. 90 replaced U.S. 90 Truck on its alignment in 1999. With all that stated, dual turn lanes provide access onto the service road south to the Exit 2 freeway on-ramp from Bay Bridge Road. Photo taken 01/25/09. |
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Interstate 165's East service road leads north across Wilson Avenue before yielding a northbound on-ramp to Interstates 165 and 65. Photo taken 01/25/09. |
Meaher Avenue
Decommissioned
Alabama 194 followed Meaher Avenue throughout the 1950s to 1970s. The route traveled east-west between U.S. 43 (Telegraph Road) and Wilson Avenue (former U.S. 43, U.S. 43 Alternate, and Alabama 193). With the completion of Interstate 165, the western end of Meaher Avenue at Wilson Avenue was obliterated. The associated neighborhood areas were also razed and the street now turns northward of the east 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 Telegraph Road.
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Approaching the historic east end of Alabama 194 on Meaher Avenue at junction U.S. 43 (Telegraph Road). Photo taken 04/17/02. |
Paper Mill Road
Paper Mill Road loops northwest from the industrial Magazine area by the Cochrane-Africatown Bridge to the intersection of U.S. 43 (Telegraph Road) and Diaz Street in Prichard.
| Paper Mill Road north |
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A grade separated intersection joins U.S. 90 & 98 Truck (Bay Bridge Road) with Paper Mill Road in the shadow of the Cochrane-Africatown Bridge. Paper Mill Road leads north to the Kimberly Clark Corporation plant nearby and ends at Chin Street to the south. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
| Paper Mill Road south |
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Truck U.S. 90 & 98 trailblazers posted at the Paper Mill Road south intersection with Paper Mill Road Extension west and Chin Street south. U.S. 90 Truck was decommissioned in 1990 when U.S. 90 saw relocation from the Bankhead Tunnel onto the Bay Bridge Road loop. U.S. 98 Truck remains in use due to the hazardous cargo restriction on the U.S. 98 alignment under the Mobile River. Photo taken 02/11/09. |
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A bank of Truck U.S. 90 & 98 shields also resides along the Paper Mill Road Extension connector to Bay Bridge Road. A number of industrial plants, some closed, lie along the Chickasaw Creek area of Magazine nearby. The truck route shields remain from busier times along Paper Mill Road. Photo taken 02/11/09. |
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Paper Mill Road Extension ends at U.S. 90 & 98 Truck (Bay Bridge Road) at the foot of the Cochrane-Africatown Bridge across the Mobile River. U.S. 90 & 98 Truck lead south along Cochrane Causeway from the cable-stayed bridge to Exit 27 of Interstate 10. Westward the pair continue to junction U.S. 43 at Plateau and their split at Interstate 165. Photo taken 02/11/09. |
Prichard Avenue
East-west roadway that connects the city government complex near Martin Luther King Junior Drive with neighborhoods in north-central Mobile at Stanton Road.
| Prichard Avenue east |
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Prichard Avenue eastbound at Summerville Street. The area basically receives light traffic, and probably does not even warrant 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" Eagle 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. |
| Prichard Avenue west |
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Prichard Avenue leaves City Hall and intersections Lovejoy Loop East at this signalized intersection. Lovejoy Loop East flows northbound only from Wilson Avenue to Clark Avenue. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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Mast arm supported traffic lights govern the movements between Prichard Avenue west at Wilson Avenue (historic U.S. 43 Alternate). Wilson Avenue leads north to Interstate 165 and south to U.S. 45 (St. Stephens Road). Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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Lovejoy Loop West crosses Prichard Avenue at the next signal. Lovejoy Loop West emanates from Wilson Avenue south of Interstate 165. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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Westbound Prichard Avenue reaches U.S. 45 (St. Stephens Road). Signal replacements here resulted in the removal of protected turns in all directions. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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.
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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 restaurants 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 pictured 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. |
Alabama @ AARoads - U.S. Highway 45 North
Alabama @ AARoads - 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 permanently 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 - U.S. Highway 43 North
Alabama @ AARoads - 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.
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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, constitutes a four-lane divided arterial at the viaduct. Beyond Interstate 165, Whistler Street reverts to two lanes en route to Turner Road and Wasson Avenue northeast to Chickasaw. Photo taken 03/15/02. |
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Whistler Street northbound at the intersection with Turner Road opposite the Interstates 65/165 stack interchange. Turner Road angles westward from Diaz Street to Rebel Road, paralleling Whistler through to their respective intersections with Wasson Avenue. Traffic lights pictured here were replaced with a standard two-signal assembly per direction by 2003. Photo taken 03/15/02. |
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Whistler Street southbound at the Interstate 165 southbound service road. Southbound Interstate 165 uses the control city of Mobile north of the Mobile city line at U.S. 90 (Bay Bridge Road). No control city is used for northbound within Prichard. Photo taken 02/08/06. |
Wilson Avenue
Asides Saint Stephens Road, Wilson Avenue is regarded as the main drive through Prichard. The highway represents the original route of U.S. 43 from its overlap with U.S. 45 to its Craft Highway alignment in Chickasaw. When U.S. 43 shifted to Telegraph Road, Wilson Avenue was redesignated Alternate U.S. 43. Alabama 193 followed Wilson Avenue from at least 1952 to 1977. Wilson Avenue also used to split into a one-way street couplet utilizing the Lovejoy Loop through central Prichard. Sometime after 1977, Wilson Avenue was punched through the center of the loop.
Wilson Avenue 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.
| Wilson Avenue north |
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Wilson Avenue spans a tributary of Toulmin Spring Branch ahead of the intersection with Carpenter Street. Photo taken 01/25/09. |
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Lovejoy Loop West crosses Wilson Avenue and becomes Lovejoy Loop East en route to Prichard Avenue near City Hall. Wilson Avenue widens to four rutted lanes at this point, with a hodgepodge of abandoned structures on each side of the highway.
The 30" Eagle signals here were replaced with modern 42" Eagle signals by 2004.
When Wilson Avenue was designated Alabama 193, drivers partitioned between Lovejoy Loop East north and West for southbound until Wilson Avenue was constructed down the middle. Photos taken 03/11/02 & 01/25/09. |
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Prichard Avenue crosses Wilson Avenue at these mast-arm supported traffic lights west of City Hall. Prichard Avenue connects Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive with U.S. 45 (St. Stephens Road). Photo taken 01/25/09. |
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Wilson Avenue (historic U.S. 43 Alternate) northbound after the intersection with Main Street. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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Junction Interstate 165 shield on Wilson Avenue northbound. Note the breezeway like structure in front of the street malls (since dismantled). This probably was a 1970s concept that never panned out in popularity. The building to the left houses a flea market, and was one of the more successful businesses within this area at the time of the photograph. 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 pictured in the above photograph. Note also the expansive viaduct above. Interstate 165 is elevated for almost its entire 4.31 miles. Photo taken 03/11/02. |
| Wilson Avenue south |
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Dunlap Circle arcs west from Wilson Avenue to West Turner Road at Mt. Calvary Avenue. The road travels through a cluster of duplexes, some of which have been demolished. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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West Turner Road links western reaches of Prichard (Wasson Avenue) with Diaz Street and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive just east of Wilson Avenue. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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Elm Street crosses Wilson Avenue at the next traffic light. The east-west road begins at U.S. 43 (Telegraph Road) and transitions to Whistler Street north just west of Wilson. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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Nearing the frontage road system of Interstate 165 on Wilson Avenue south. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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Travelers destined for Interstate 165 north to Interstate 65 utilize the northbound side service road through to the ramp south of Price Avenue. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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Dual turn lanes carry drivers onto the southbound side frontage road through to the Bay Bridge Road on-ramp to Interstate 165 south. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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Approaching junction U.S. 45 (St. Stephens Road) on Wilson Avenue south where U.S. 43 Alternate and Alabama 193 once ended. Photo taken 06/03/02. |
Additional Prichard Street Scenes
Photos covering other principle streets throughout the Prichard area.
| Belcase Road |
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Belcase Road extends Highpoint Boulevard north from Alabama 217 (Lott Road) to U.S. 45 south of Kushla in rural northwest Prichard. The two-lane road opened by 2007. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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The north end of Belcase Road at junction U.S. 45 near its diamond interchange with Alabama 158. No shields are posted for the highway. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
| Branch Avenue |
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Branch Avenue joins West Main Street with U.S. 45 (St. Stephens Road) near Eight Mile Creek. A traffic light lies at the end of the connector road with St. Stephens Road. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
| Grover Avenue |
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The five-point intersection between Grover Avenue, old Bay Bridge Road, and John Avenue once held more prominence in the Prichard traffic scheme. When new Bay Bridge Road opened to the south, old Bay Bridge Road was severed from Telegraph Road. The connection to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive was also removed when Interstate 165 opened. This left the road for local use only, and its set of traffic lights with Grover and John Avenues obsolete. Rather than removing the signals, the city of Prichard instead permanently reset them into flash mode. What's left of the signals hang above... Photo taken 12/17/09. |
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Old Bay Bridge Road west at Grover Avenue (north-south) and John Avenue east to Meaher Avenue (former Alabama 194). Most of the adjacent housing is either abandoned or in a state of disrepair. An industrial business or two still occupies parcels along old Bay Bridge Road, and the connection with Grover Avenue links them with U.S. 90 (Bay Bridge Road). Photo taken 12/17/09. |
| Shelton Beach Road |
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An old one-piece four-way flasher lies at the intersection of Shelton Beach Road and Myers Road southwest of Eight Mile. Shelton Beach Road Extension leads south to U.S. 98 (Moffett Road) in Mobile. Myers Road leads north to Alabama 217 (Lott Road) and south to Bear Fork Road. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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Bear Fork Road straddles the Mobile and Prichard city line west from Salem Street across Shelton Beach Road to Jarrett Road. The east-west through road ends at U.S. 98 (Moffett Road) near Millers Park. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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Shelton Beach Road Extension continues the road south into the city limits of Mobile and crosses Eight Mile Creek within the passive Megginson Park. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
| Wasson Avenue |
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Wasson Avenue links the cities of Chickasaw and Prichard via Thompson Boulevard Extension southward to Whistler Street. Whistler Street angles southeast to Elm Street and central Prichard and northwest to Alabama 213 (Shelton Beach Road). Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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Turner Road follows a diagonal path from Martin Luther King Jr., Drive westward under Interstates 65 and 165 to Wasson Avenue. The through road comes to an end nearby at Gould Avenue. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
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A second signalized intersection exists along Wasson Avenue south at West Main Street. Main Street travels northwest from the Prichard central business district to Branch Avenue before petering out in a wooded area near Eight Mile Creek. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
| Woodland Avenue |
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Woodland Avenue overtakes the naming of Paper Mill Road from its intersection with the industrial road west to junction U.S. 43 (Telegraph Road) at Diaz Street. Photo taken 07/17/07. |
Page Updated January 19, 2010.
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