Opened to traffic on October 28, 19941, Interstate 165 provides access from Interstate 65 to the downtown
areas of Mobile and Prichard. The $240 million freeway2 also serves the Alabama State Docks along the Mobile
River. Overall the highway is six lanes wide and is elevated for approximately four miles. The 4.90-mile freeway
is lined with overhead lighting assemblies for its entire duration.
A look at Interstate 165 as it travels near downtown Prichard into the northern reaches of downtown Mobile.
History
The concept of Interstate 165 was born out of the demise of the Interstate 210 proposal. Interstate 210, with origins dating back to 1958, was the missing link in the Mobile Urban Interstate system between Interstate 65 and Interstate 10. Due to the impact on the downtown area and access to the Mobile River waterfront, it was decided to curtail the southernmost reaches of Interstate 210 in favor of a spur routing of the freeway between Interstate 65 and Beauregard Street in Mobile. Since Interstate 210 no longer connected two Interstates, the number became invalid and thus the spur designation Interstate 165 was born. See the Interstate 210 Alabama guide for more of the history of this route. AASHTO approved the elimination of Interstate 210 and the designation of Interstate 165 from an application by the state of Alabama on June 7, 1989.
Much of Interstate 165 is cosigned with U.S. 90 and Truck U.S. 98. This U.S. route used to travel through downtown Mobile in conjunction with U.S. 98, but was rerouted onto Truck U.S. 90-98 over the Cochrane-Africatown Bridge and Bay Bridge Road by 1999. Interstate 165 and Truck U.S. 98 provide a mandatory bypass of the Bankhead Tunnel (U.S. 98) and Wallace Tunnels (Interstate 10) for hazardous material based cargo. The connection also provides an alternate for Interstate 10 to Interstate 65 bound traffic away from downtown Mobile.
Southern Terminus - U.S. 90/Truck U.S. 98 at Broad and Water Street - downtown Mobile, Alabama
Perspective from Interstate 165 south
U.S. 90 & U.S. 98 Truck join Interstate 165 between Exit 2 and the southern terminus near downtown Mobile. The federal highway pair enter the scene from Bay Bridge Road and the Cochrane-Africatown Bridge over the Mobile River. Together the three provide a northern bypass route that is mandatory for all vehicles carrying hazardous cargo east to Baldwin County and Florida. Pictured here is the one-mile Interstate 165 end overhead. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (08/22/01).
Interstate 165 south & U.S. 90-98 Truck west pass over the Alabama State Docks railroad lines ahead of the viaduct descent to Water Street at Beauregard Street. The sign bridge positioned advises motorists of the three possible choices ahead: left to the Alabama State Docks, south on Water Street to downtown, and right on Beauregard Street to Broad Street. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (10/25/03).
The carriageways of Interstate 165 segregate ahead of the transition into Water Street. An on-ramp used to bring U.S. 43 southbound onto Water Street from Telegraph Road from within the median of the freeway end. A second ramp enters from the right, bringing the end of Conception Street Road on from Prichard. U.S. 43 saw truncation by 2002 to the Bay Bridge Road intersection with Telegraph Road. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (10/25/03).
The aforementioned ramps bring the total southbound lanes to five as Interstate 165 ends and U.S. 90 & 98 Truck west prepare to turn onto Beauregard Street. The left-two lanes provide access to the Alabama State Docks and Dekle Drive/Delchamps Road. Water Street commences with three southbound lanes to downtown Mobile. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (10/25/03).
A historical look at the Interstate 165 south end with the Gulf, Mobile, & Ohio Building in view. The GM&O Building saw renovation from 2000 to 2003 and now exists as a transit/office building. U.S. 43, pictured here as turning west onto Beauregard Street, used to follow U.S. 90 & 98 Truck south to Broad Street and its end at Government Street (U.S. 90, U.S. 98). For motorists continuing southward along Water Street, a short drive leads to junction Interstate 10 at Historic Fort Conde. The six-lane boulevard was built in lieu of Interstate 210. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (09/16/00).
Perspective from Water Street north
Heading north out of the Mobile central business district on Water Street. Water Street meets U.S. 90 & 98 Truck (Beauregard Street) and the northbound beginning of Interstate 165 shortly. Interstate 165 & U.S. 90-98 Truck share pavement from Water Street north to the Bay Bridge Road split-diamond interchange. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (10/24/03).
A myriad of signs lie at the intersection of Water Street, Beauregard Street, and Interstate 165. The volume of truck traffic emanating from the Alabama State Docks necessitates the wide intersection. Beauregard Street heads west to Broad Street, carrying U.S. 90 to Government Street and U.S. 98 Truck to Spring HIll Avenue (U.S. 98). Beauregard Street east splits into ramps to the Alabama State Docks and Dekle Drive/Delchamps Road. Dekle Drive meanders through the docks area to Telegraph Road (old U.S. 43). Interstate 165 & U.S. 90-98 Truck otherwise split with Conception Street Road adjacent to the GM&O Building before taking off on a six-lane viaduct. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (10/24/03).
Perspective from Beauregard Street (U.S. 90/Truck U.S. 98 east) east
Beauregard Street in conjunction with Broad and Canal Streets comprise the Henry Aaron Loop. The four to six lane arterial streets encircle the Mobile CBD from Interstate 10 west to U.S. 90 and 98 and north to Interstate 165. At one point Broad and Beauregard Streets carried U.S. 31 and 45; now the roads carry U.S. 90 east from Government Street and U.S. 98 Truck east from Spring Hill Avenue. Pictured here is the shield assembly at Water Street and the northbound beginning of Interstate 165. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (01/29/02).
Perspective from Beauregard Street west
Heading out of the Alabama State Docks, the overpass from the facility joins Beauregard Street west of its tie-in with Dekle Drive/Delchamps Road. The road is mainly used for trucks exiting the State Docks, but connections with Dekle Drive/Delchamps Road act as an alternate route to Telegraph Road (old U.S. 43) and Prichard. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (04/25/02).
This upcoming exits sign, posted between the Exit 2 on-ramp and Exit 1C off-ramp, is the first mentioning of Interstate 65 on Interstate 165 northbound. It is posted 1.75 miles from the terminus. The Prichard roadways of Wilson Avenue, Price Avenue, and Whistler Street are all served by the same off-ramp. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (10/24/03).
Approaching the Whistler Street off-ramp (Exit 1C) on Interstate 165 north. Travelers emanating from downtown Mobile are provided with a diagrammatical overhead for the upcoming connection to Interstate 65. Interstate 165 truck interests between the Port of Alabama and U.S. 43 north to Tuscaloosa. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (10/25/03).
Leaving the central Prichard area and the Whistler Street ramps on Interstate 165 northbound. The freeway expands to four lanes in anticipation of the ramp split to Interstate 65. Three lanes carry motorists onto Interstate 65 south ahead of its interchange with U.S. 45 (St. Stephens Avenue). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (02/08/06).
Drivers partition between the Exit 1A/1B off-ramps to Interstate 65 at the north end of Interstate 165. Interstate 65 northbound continues through the north Mobile metro communities of Chickasaw, Saraland and Satsuma on the 160-mile drive to Montgomery. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (02/08/06).
A second guide sign posted for Interstate 65 at the Interstate 165 conclusion. Southbound drivers meet Interstate 10 in nine miles near U.S. 90 (Government Boulevard). This connection generally serves commuting interests throughout west Mobile.
Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (02/08/06).
The first guide sign on Interstate 65 northbound for the upcoming junction with Interstate 165/Exit 9. This assembly is posted between Exit 5B/U.S. 98/Moffett Road and the Exit 8 partial-cloverleaf with U.S. 45 in Prichard. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (02/08/06).
The first of two Interstate 65/165 sign bridges on northbound Interstate 65 for Exit 9. An auxiliary guide sign joins Interstate 65 northbound for Interstate 165 south from U.S. 45 (Exit 8). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (02/08/06).
Interstate 65 northbound at the Interstate 165 stack interchange (Exit 9). Two lanes are allocated for southbound Interstate 165, with the far right-hand lane quickly becoming exit-only for Exit 1B/Whistler Street around the bend. Interstate 65 and 165 form a pseudo beltway of the downtown and midtown areas of Mobile in conjunction with Interstate 10. Interstate 65's frontage roads are referred to as Belt Line Highway. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (02/08/06).
Next Three Interstate Junctions for Interstate 65 north
One of three diagram overheads on Interstate 65 southbound posted for Interstate 165 south (Exit 9). Interstate 65 widens to six lanes from Exit 13 (Alabama 158 & 213) southward, adding a fourth southbound lane between West Lee Street (Exit 10) and Interstate 165. The freeway passes through Chickasabogue Park ahead of Chickasaw and the split with Interstate 165. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/13/05).
Southbound at the Exit 10 diamond interchange with West Lee Street in Chickasaw. Interstate 65 & 165 split one mile to the south. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/13/05).
Exit 9/Interstate 165 south overhead placed less then one-quarter mile from the northern beginning. This overhead was installed to advise motorists that the right-hand lane is allocated for Interstate 165 southbound only. Three southbound Interstate 65 lanes continue through the stack interchange to the terminus at Interstate 10. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Justin Cozart (08/21/03).
Interstate 65 southbound split with Interstate 165. This interchange serves downtown Mobile and Prichard. It also serves hazardous material traffic bound for U.S. 90 & 98 Truck across the Cochrane-Africatown Bridge. Although the freeway does not actually directly tie into Interstate 10, U.S. 90/Bay Bridge Road offers a quick alternative for Interstate 10 eastbound traffic to bypass downtown Mobile. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/13/05).
Next Three Interstate Junctions for Interstate 65 south
Sources:
1 - "Interstate 165 opens today, completing state's system." Mobile Register, October 28, 1994.
2 - "I-165 now open Route connecting downtown with I-65 in Prichard saves motorists 9 minutes in travel time." Mobile Register, October 29, 1994.
