Toll bridge (Mobile: cost, safer, beaches)

[bfmx1]

I'd like to know your thoughts on the proposed toll bridge in Mobile. I don't have time to read all the details but is this needed? What's the real purpose? Is there that big of a need?

And would you pay a toll for less or safer traffic?

[PortCity]

Originally Posted by bfmx1

I'd like to know your thoughts on the proposed toll bridge in Mobile. I don't have time to read all the details but is this needed? What's the real purpose? Is there that big of a need?

And would you pay a toll for less or safer traffic?

1) Is it needed ?! Uhhh yeah Lol.Especially when I-10 is 5 lanes on both sides until you reach the tunnel then it turns into 2 lanes.

2) The real purpose is to ease congestion of course. But for Alabama it's about money $$$$. A discount will cost you around $1100 a year without a discount it would be over 4k a year and that's for 1 car. The tolls would hit Baldwin County residents harder than Mobilians but its still unfair.


3) There is a need but not at this cost. The locals( Baldwin/Mobile) just really want the Bayway expanded.Alabama sees $$$$ from all of the out of state tags that are passing through. I-10 takes you to some of the most beautiful beaches and resorts in the country of course it's heavily traveled especially during the Spring and Summer months.

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by PortCity

1) Is it needed ?! Uhhh yeah Lol.Especially when I-10 is 5 lanes on both sides until you reach the tunnel then it turns into 2 lanes.

2) The real purpose is to ease congestion of course. But for Alabama it's about money $$$$. A discount will cost you around $1100 a year without a discount it would be over 4k a year and that's for 1 car. The tolls would hit Baldwin County residents harder than Mobilians but its still unfair.


3) There is a need but not at this cost. The locals( Baldwin/Mobile) just really want the Bayway expanded.Alabama sees $$$$ from all of the out of state tags that are passing through. I-10 takes you to some of the most beautiful beaches and resorts in the country of course it's heavily traveled especially during the Spring and Summer months.

What is the proposed route? Is it south of the existing tunnel? I'm not all that familiar with Mobile, just having driven through a couple of times on I-10 and I-65 and the connector (I-165?) that goes downtown. And it's been several years since I've been there. The traffic level didn't seem horrendous at the time, but I can't recall if it was rush hour time or not.

[bon_regis]

I-10 leading into Downtown can get horrendous during the spring and summer seasons.

[bfmx1]

But the tunnel would still exist and be free right? All they're wanting to do is build a toll bridge that you have the OPTION to take correct? Or not correct?

I just can't see a problem with doing that. Florida has done it to get to Destin, most big cities have toll roads/express lane options for those who had rather pay than sit in traffic.

[eshore78]

The plan is to toll the bridge and the Wallace Tunnel. The only way to get through Mobile without paying is through downtown, either the Bankhead or up to the Cochrane Bridge. Downtown is gonna become a logjam during the summer months.

[PortCity]

Originally Posted by bfmx1

But the tunnel would still exist and be free right? All they're wanting to do is build a toll bridge that you have the OPTION to take correct? Or not correct?

That would be logical but this is Alabama lol.They will roll the Wallace tunnels also.The only free routes would be the Bankhead and the Africa Towne Bridge.

[PortCity]

Originally Posted by eshore78

The plan is to toll the bridge and the Wallace Tunnel. The only way to get through Mobile without paying is through downtown, either the Bankhead or up to the Cochrane Bridge. Downtown is gonna become a logjam during the summer months.

Downtown is already a logjam during thebsummer months.I can't imagine how it will we have the tolls.

[bfmx1]

Gotcha. I'm all for a toll OPTION to miss traffic, I take them all the time. But to impose it on an existing road? No way.

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by bfmx1

Gotcha. I'm all for a toll OPTION to miss traffic, I take them all the time. But to impose it on an existing road? No way.

Yeah, that sounds a little sketchy. Maybe they should consider tolls in B'ham for all the new and expensive work done there.

I'm not against reasonable tolls if it makes roads and traffic better. It's been done in other areas for years and works fine once you get used to it.