Without any fanfare or even a mentioning to my recollection, Alabama 158 (Industrial Parkway) is now open between U.S. 45 and the Schillinger Road extension (Newburn Road). We took an opportunity to travel the new road this past weekend, and sure enough, everything is completed. Some highlights from the road include a 65 mph speed limit, four overall lanes with a shoulder, and extended rights of way at the Schillinger Road extension for what appears to be a trumpet interchange.

Facts about Alabama 158 (from an email with ALDOT):

  • The extension opened on January 25, 2008
  • Signage along the route will not be freeway grade
  • Alabama 158 is not intended to be a controlled access route
  • Interchanges with Schillinger, McCrary/Alabama 217 (Lott Road) remained planned

Alabama 158’s extension will eventually become part of a new alignment of U.S. 98 to the north of Mobile. Initial work commenced in 2006 on the new U.S. 98 north of Wilmer, from Big Creek northwest to U.S. 98 near the county line. Construction got as far as tree removal and grading before problems arose. Work was halted after rains caused detrimental sediment run-off into Big Creek Lake, the main source of water for the city of Mobile. ALDOT is still working on a solution to the problem, including redesigning U.S. 98 with the potential of additional bridges over area wetlands.

Rights of way along the new U.S. 98 include provisions of what may be a split-diamond interchange at McCrary Road and Alabama 217 (Lott Road). Work has yet to begin on this stretch of the four-lane highway and likely is several years off due to the environmental stoppage of work to the west.

Alabama 158 leading west from the now complete diamond interchange with U.S. 45 near Kushla. The road is very expressway like on this stretch, but 900 acres of land abutting both sides of the new four-lane roadway are already on sale for potential development.

Alabama 158 abruptly ends at the Schillinger Road Extension (Newburn Road). All traffic is slowed to 25 mph and forced to turn left. Right-of-way is already purchased for the westward extension, which will eventually carry a relocated U.S. 98 around Semmes and Wilmer. However as is visible with the lack of construction here, road work has yet to begin.

Newburn Road was just a two-lane dirt road before the project to extend Schillinger Road northward began. This view looks at the road northbound where it meets Alabama 158’s eastbound beginning. Unfortunately, a five-lane arterial now travels over the previously rural road. — Was it necessary to build all five lanes now, when existing Schillinger Road between Alabama 217 (Lott Road) and Howell’s Ferry Road remains at just two lanes?

Looking east from the stub beginning of Alabama 158 at Schillinger Road Extension. Alabama 158 is not a full expressway, as at-grade intersections and private driveways already tie into the roadway between here and U.S. 45.

Signage leaves something to be desired along the route too… Currently the two diamond interchanges (the other at Mobile County 55) are signed with just shields, such as these U.S. 45 markers pictured here on eastbound. Additionally the aforementioned at-grade intersections are not marked with street signs presently.

Historically speaking, South and East Boulevard in Montgomery were built as multi-lane bypasses without any access control. Looking at what happened there, I hope that history does not repeat itself on the new four-lane Alabama 158.