MOBILE, Ala. — Drivers who use the Old Shell Road and Florida Street intersection should plan for lane closures and flaggers on Sunday and Monday, Sept. 27–28, while City of Mobile Public Works crews repair a damaged storm drain inlet at the northeast corner of the intersection.
Westbound Old Shell Road traffic and northbound Florida Street traffic will be shifted around the work zone beginning Sunday morning, city officials said. The job is expected to take two working days, with demolition on the first day and a concrete pour on the second.
Old Shell Road and Florida Street lane closures at a glance
- Where: Northeast corner of Old Shell Road and Florida Street, Mobile
- Sunday, Sept. 27: Crews remove damaged concrete from 8 a.m. to about 4 p.m.
- Monday, Sept. 28: Crews prepare for and complete a concrete pour from 8:30 a.m. to about 1 p.m.
- Westbound Old Shell Road: Traffic will be routed into the turn lane
- Northbound Florida Street: Traffic will be guided around the work area by flaggers
- Who is doing the work: City of Mobile Public Works Department
How traffic will move
The work zone sits at the northeast corner of the intersection, which is the corner that westbound and northbound vehicles pass as they move through. Because of that, those two directions of travel are the ones affected.
Westbound drivers on Old Shell Road will be directed out of their normal travel lane and into the turn lane to get past the repair site. Northbound drivers on Florida Street will be steered around the work area, with flaggers on hand to direct them, according to city officials.
The city did not announce detours or full road closures. Eastbound and southbound traffic were not listed as affected, though drivers in every direction should expect a slower trip through the intersection while equipment and crews are present.
Why a single storm drain inlet matters
A storm drain inlet is the opening at the curb or in the pavement where rainwater leaves the street and enters the underground pipe network. In a city that averages well over 60 inches of rain a year, as Mobile does, those inlets carry a heavy load. When one is cracked, broken or partly collapsed, it can let debris into the pipe below, cause pavement around it to settle and allow water to pond in the travel lanes during storms.
The repair described by the city involves removing the damaged concrete around the inlet on Sunday and pouring new concrete on Monday. That is a common approach for this kind of work: the failed structure is cut out, the area is prepared and formed, and fresh concrete is placed so the inlet and the surrounding curb and pavement are sound again.
Fresh concrete typically needs time to gain strength before it can carry traffic, which is why a job like this is usually split across more than one day and why crews may leave barricades or cones around the area after the pour until the surface is ready. The city has not said exactly when all lanes will fully reopen, so drivers should watch for signs and cones even after the posted work hours end on Monday.
A well-traveled corridor
Old Shell Road is one of Mobile’s oldest and best-known streets. It takes its name from the crushed oyster shells once used to pave the route that ran west from the city toward Spring Hill, and today it serves as a key east-west link through Midtown neighborhoods, near schools, churches, shops and restaurants.
Florida Street is a north-south connector that crosses Old Shell Road in that same area, so the intersection sees steady traffic from commuters, residents and delivery vehicles. Sunday morning traffic is usually lighter than on a weekday, which should help limit delays on the first day of work. Monday’s pour, however, falls during the start of the workweek, when morning commuters and school traffic are on the road.
Tips for getting through the work zone
- Allow extra time Monday morning if your route normally takes you west on Old Shell Road or north on Florida Street.
- Follow the flaggers. Their directions take priority over normal lane markings while the work zone is set up.
- Slow down and put the phone away. Crews will be working steps from moving traffic.
- Watch for pedestrians and cyclists, who may also have to detour around the corner where work is underway.
- Consider a parallel route if you can easily avoid the intersection during work hours.
Weather could affect the schedule
Concrete work depends on dry conditions, and the forecast for the Mobile area calls for a dry weekend and a dry start to the week, which works in the crews’ favor. Still, as with any outdoor public works project, the city’s times are estimates. The Sunday work is scheduled to wrap up around 4 p.m., and Monday’s pour is expected to be finished around 1 p.m.
Reporting drainage problems in Mobile
The City of Mobile encourages residents to report street and drainage issues, such as clogged or damaged storm drains, standing water and potholes, through its 311 system. Residents can use the city’s 311 service online or by phone to submit a request, which is then routed to Public Works for inspection and repair.
Keeping storm drains clear is also something residents can help with. Grass clippings, leaves and litter swept into the street often end up in inlets, where they can block the flow of water and contribute to flooding during heavy rain. Bagging yard debris rather than blowing it into the gutter helps keep the system working.
What’s next
If the work goes as planned, the damaged inlet at Old Shell Road and Florida Street will be rebuilt by midday Monday, and normal traffic patterns should return once crews remove their equipment and the new concrete is ready. Drivers should continue to follow posted signs and any directions from crews until the work zone is cleared.