Here’s What It Looks Like When They Close The Tunnel In Mobile, AL

If you're from Louisiana, there's a good chance you're familiar with the tunnel in Mobile, AL.

I say this because the Gulf Coast is a cheap and easy beach getaway for many in our area. Even if you haven't vacationed in Gulf Shores, Destin, or any of the popular beaches along the Gulf stretch, chances are you've traveled through Mobile.

And if you've traveled through Mobile, you've definitely driven through the tunnel. It's a pretty unforgettable experience since you are literally driving underwater in a huge white tube with lights all the way through.

Now, the interesting part is that there are actually TWO tunnels. The tunnel that you're probably familiar with from your vacation run is the George Wallace Tunnel—a pair of tunnels that carry I-10 through Mobile, Alabama from the city's downtown to the other side of the Mobile River by going underneath it.

A few blocks upriver is a similar, yet smaller tunnel known as the Bankhead Tunnel.

With Hurricane Sally approaching the Gulf, my morning show co-host Chris Reed wondered out loud if they "close" the tunnels when storms approach. What happens when the storm surge moves into the area? Does the tunnel flood?

A quick Google "research" sesh answered all of my questions and now I'm that much more enlightened on the Bankhead Tunnel. It actually has a door that can be closed, and this video is an example of how it works.

It's an older video, but I would imagine the logistics are pretty much the same, and as I'm posting this story, the smaller Bankhead Tunnel is closing ahead of Sally.

We wish our neighbors to the east the best and maybe next time we're driving through Mobile, we can detour to check out those doors on the Bankhead Tunnel. But if you have an extended stay, it's probably worth checking out a tour of the more popular Wallace Tunnel.