Always a cool tunnel to go through and for me, just a part of getting into Mobile, Alabama. Tunnels like these are amazing examples of engineering and I do notice the winder of the technology involved. Whenever I am heading into Mobile, this is a welcome to Mobile spot for me. read more

George Wallace Tunnel - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Mobile, Alabama

Yay!! They have now fixed all the lights and replaced all the bricks that were missing in the wall from the car accident. It def feels much safer :) "Thank you so much tunnel fix it people" Will return! :)) read more

George Wallace Tunnel - "light at the end of the tunnel" - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Mobile, Alabama

#40 review for 100 Yelp December Challenge Straight shot Houston to Tallahassee will take you past this famous tunnel. It was constructed from 1969 to 1973 when it officially opened connecting people through I-10. Named after George Wallace who was the Governor of Alabama at that time. It is actually 2 tunnels with 1 going eastbound and another westbound with 2 lanes of traffic. It was built in sections and then sunk into place .The depth of clearance is 40ft. For the ship channel that runs directly over the bridge. The cost for this tunnel was around $50 million and 1000s of travelers use it daily. read more

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"Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever!" - George Wallace (1919-1998) Named for the 45th Governor of Alabama who served four terms and was Governor at the time the tunnels were competed. He was a staunch segregationist and is best known for the quote above. Martin Luther King Jr. called him "perhaps the most dangerous racist in America today." So I'm a little surprised that the tunnel has not yet been renamed but I'm not an Alabama resident and have no vote in such decisions. The tunnels carry Interstate 10 underneath the Mobile River from Blakely Island to downtown Mobile. There are two separate two-lane tunnels, one in each direction. The tunnel sections were constructed between 1969 and 1973 nearby and floated into place, then sunk. The depth of clearance is 40 feet and the tunnels are 3000 feet long. The westbound tunnel (which I did not traverse) has a sharp curve to line up with the roadway. This causes some significant traffic backup and has ignited a plan to replace the tunnels. There is no toll to use the tunnel and you're definitely not getting a radio signal down here. [Review 14112 overall, 1434 of 2020, number 173 in Alabama.] read more

George Wallace Tunnel - George Wallace Tunnel, westbound - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Mobile, Alabama

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This used to be super cool when I was a kid. Now as an adult, it gives me a little anxiety, especially if I have to stop due to traffic. Still cool, well lit and interesting. read more

George Wallace Tunnel - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Mobile, Alabama

I've said it before and I'll say it again right now; there's something I love about tunnels. Perhaps it's the engineering that goes into each one or perhaps it knowing that you are travelling on a subterranean road. Perhaps it's a combination of the two, but I digress. Growing up in New Orleans, we have 2 tunnels that I have been transiting since I was a child. We have the 4 lane (2 lanes each way) 1,079 foot Harvey tunnel and the 2 lane (same direction) 1,938 foot Belle Chasse tunnel. Both seem a little sketchy as the lighting is sub-par and they both seem to leak. Most people like me, who have this strange fascination with tunnels, like to honk their horns in the tunnel to hear the incredible echo. I, on the other hand, like to roll my windows down and rev up my engine or downshift into a lower gear to make a little engine noise. Having had multiple sports cars and several motorcycles, all with aftermarket exhausts, I can assure you that my liberal application of acceleration made the tunnel sound like a sound clip form the movie Days of Thunder; but I digress again. I recall as a child driving through the George Wallace tunnel for the first time and was taken back by the "enormity" compared to what I was used to. It is significantly larger and longer (3,000 feet) than both the tunnels in New Orleans, and if one is luck enough not to have any traffic on front of you, one "could" make a fast paced thunderous run through the tunnel. However, I don't condone such activities any more (wink wink). Also, the tunnel is well lit, clean and doesn't leak. As paraphrased from Wikipedia, "The George Wallace Tunnel is a pair of road tunnels that carry Interstate 10 through Mobile, Alabama from the city's downtown, going beneath the Mobile River, and emerging on Blakeley Island where they join the Jubilee Parkway over Mobile Bay. It, like the smaller Bankhead Tunnel a few blocks upriver from it, was constructed in Mobile at the shipyards of the Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Company (ADDSCO) from 1969-1973. The George Corley Wallace Tunnel, actually two separate tunnels (one for two lanes of travel eastbound, and one for two lanes of travel westbound on Interstate 10), was built in sections and floated to the proper positions, then sunk. Each section was sunk next to the previous section and joined underwater. When all sections were connected, and concrete set into place, they were pumped dry and finished out. The depth of clearance is 40 ft (12.2 m) for the ship channel over the tunnel. This is the same clearance as the older Bankhead Tunnel. The tunnel was officially opened to traffic on February 9, 1973, after $50 million ($291.8 million in 2020 dollars) was spent to construct it. It was named after George Wallace, the Governor of Alabama at that time." We used this tunnel several times during our last stay in Mobile and I was so excited to hear my son say to me "turn off the radio and roll the windows down so I can hear your exhaust". Unfortunately, I do not yet have aftermarket exhaust on my new truck; however, knowing that my son loves tunnels as much as me is sheer joy! Can't wait for my next trip through Mobile. read more

What a wonderful tunnel. The acoustics are wonderful. You could do a whole musical down here and it would sound great. This is one of the best, well-built tunnels I have been through in some time. I do not have a feeling that it will collapse in on me. There is something so calming about driving thru here. Traffic does slow a bit coming into the tunnel, but I guess that is to be expected given the lower traffic limit. I would not want to be in here if there is ever an accident. read more

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This tunnel has always been a landmark & checkpoint of such for me & the same was true this time around... CHECKPOINT made!!!! I must admit, entering this tunnel sort of makes your heart flutter a bit, but once the willies are gone, I do enjoy the "undergroundness" that I feel when entering. Sort of gives me the "Princess Diana Effect"; just to wonder how she felt, sort of trapped with no where to go... ehhhhh I'm going there, but I didn't mean to. I do enjoy this tunnel, sort of like a carnival ride or an alternate universe visit. Extreme, yeah I know, but just to think, there are massive amounts of water on either side of the wall. And since I can only assume the tunnel's length, I can only imagine the escape necessary if the unthinkable were to happen. Again, I do love this tunnel because it provides a sense of mystery & mystic... I love the slight upward curve that is ever so obvious due to the ear popping that you experience while passing thru. I simply love the tunnel for many reasons listed, but also for others that unlisted, but I could, you got about 20 minutes, you got time to listen??? LOL. Enough said... I love it. I'm not here to proclaim any historical facts associated with this tunnel, but just to say I LOVE IT & I always look forward to visiting it. CHECKPOINT MADE!!!!! read more

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Wow... I have been riding through this tunnel back and forth from Florida to Mississippi since I was a little girl. Heck, so young that I can't even remember my earliest trips through this tunnel. Let me tell you, It's been more trips through it than I can even possibly begin to count! I still find it as much fun today as I did when I was a child. Yes, I'm one of the annoying ones who always honks the horn. I remember my daddy always honking the horn for me going through it when I was little.... and of course I always honked it for my children when they were growing up. You're not suppose to.. it annoys people.. whatever... it's fun! :D Another fun thing to do is make sure the radio is on going through it because it always loses signal halfway through. I remember my girls always staring at the radio just waiting for the signal to drop. It's the little things in life that amuse us, huh?! LOL The tunnel isn't very long. When you're smack dab in the middle of it you can still see from one end to the other. Love the lights inside, especially at night. They are cool during the day too because since you are under water, it would be dark in there during the daytime without the lights. Not pitch black, but still dark. Yes, you are actually under water in this tunnel. How completely cool is that?! I love you, George Wallace Tunnel. You always make the long trip just a little bit better! =) read more

Located 40 feet below the surface of the Mobile River one has to wonder why they chose to go under instead of over the ship channel, this by no means is a stretch of water that exceeded the capabilities of bridge building in 1973 I also find it a bit odd that this is not the first tunnel to breach this river, the George Wallace Tunnel runs parallel to the older but still in use John H. Bankhead Tunnel circa 1942. Although the Bankhead Tunnel is a few hundred feet longer its a simpler two lane tunnel with only 12 feet of clearance verses the dual two lane tunnels with 16 feet of clearance known as the George Corley Wallace Tunnel. Although tunnels don't intrigue me as much as bridges do they do have a purpose and do represent a engineering marvel using a self supporting circular design based on the functionality of a straw so I have alway found them kinda boring since the view never changes. Add a few water tight windows or make them out of glass and you might get my attention until then I feel tunnels should bore through mountains and bridges should span the waterways. read more

George Wallace Tunnel - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Mobile, Alabama

The George Wallace Tunnel takes Interstate 10 in the city of Mobile, Alabama under the Mobile River and emerge on Blakeley Island where it meets up with the Jubilee Parkway which cross over Mobile Bay. It's well lit and super fun to drive through. I usually lose my radio signal going through it and have occasionally had a cell call drop. For some reason when there's a change in road scenery, be it high bridges or tunnels, some people don't seem to know what to do and slam on their brakes. Try to maintain your speed as this causes accidents and there's not much off shoulder to pull over if there is an accident. That causes major traffic jams and headaches. Happy traveling! read more

George Wallace Tunnel - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Mobile, Alabama

It's a tunnel underneath the water!!! What's more cool? Be aware traffic is a mess around rush hours maybe because of the 45 mph flashing signs before you enter. I gave 4 stars because I have ridden in other tunnels where water had leaked onto the roadway. This one is always dry, seems to be well built. You will loose radio reception while driving through! But remember to honk your horn or rev up your vehicle to hear the exhaust echo!!! read more

Cross the Mobile River! This tunnel is named after Alabama Governor and Presidential candidate George Wallace. It is actually two tunnels, one for eastbound I-10, and one for westbound I-10. The traffic is segregated, which Wallace would have liked. I've never liked segregation, and Wallace's favorite Jim Crow Laws were the worst. He's the jerk that stood out front of the school house, trying to prevent African American children from attending school at white schools, so they had to be escorted into the school with National Guard troops. His catchphrase was, "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever." I like my tunnel traffic segregated by direction, but that's it. The tunnels were built by floating out huge cylinders onto the river, sinking them and joining them together, then concreteing them up, and pumping the water out. It takes you out on to an island from downtown Mobile. Right by the tunnel, you'll find the USS Alabama, and fun things to check out. I wish they'd rename this tunnel. The tunnel runs lower than George Wallace's legacy. However, unlike his legacy, this tunnel is comfortable to navigate. read more

I've driven through this tunnel several times on my I-10 adventures. It is bright, clear and moves with ease as you pass through. It makes it easy to pass someone if you need to, but most of us just follow the person in front of us as we are all headed in the same direction. Thanks Mobile for keeping this structure up to date and providing safe passage through your city. read more

I have always been fascinated by tunnels. Call me a weirdo, but I distinctly remember my mother explaining that tunnels actually travel under the water. That blew my five year old mind. We even had a song we would sing when we drove through the tunnel that helped my scared siblings forget we were technically underwater (no I won't sing it now). This tunnel is far cooler than any of the tunnels I've been in before in Louisiana. First off, it's massive. I'm not sure if interstate tunnels have to be built to different standards, but this tunnel seems more sturdy than the Harvey Canal tunnel. Secondly the tunnel travels far more distance than most tunnels I'm used too. Sure, it's not the Chunnel, but you've got way more underwater time in this thing than back home. Another cool feature is the warning lights before the tunnel that tell you if you're traveling too fast. Don't worry, those things don't accurately predict impending doom. One negative thing about this tunnel is that you are likely to lose radio, satellite and cell reception while you're in it. I counter this boredom by rolling down my windows and honking. Other motorists hate that, but I love the echo. See, I told you I was a weirdo. read more

What a tunnel!! Great echos, well lit, clean, not wet and I enter with a confident feeling that I will survive the trip through the tunnel unlike the ones in Louisiana. I have not one a game of "hold your breath" in this tunnel yet. Soon tho read more

I've always enjoyed tunnels. Tunneling and Funneling. Most anything involving a tube. They are amazing. Bankhead Tunnel is still the best.

Since I was a kid, tunnels have always intrigued me. Unlike a bridge where you go up high and can see where you are going, tunnels add a little excitement because you're not quite sure what you will see until you pop out the other side. I realize that writing a review on a tunnel is kinda corny. It's not like I had a choice of using the tunnel. I-10 runs straight through the tunnel and takes you underneath the Mobile River. There are two lanes each direction; east and west. You cannot see traffic traveling in the opposite direction, hence the GWT is two separate tunnels. For the record, I was the passenger when I checked-in at the GWT. TIP: Just so you know, there is another tunnel just a few blocks north named the Bankhead Tunnel. You may look it up if traffic on I-10 is backed up. TIP: When traveling on I-10, you are not in Alabama for a long time. Since you are driving through anyway, this is a great place to check-in to help you earn your Statesman Badge. read more

I don't know any additional trivia or historical facts to add to the reviews that already describe the George Wallace Tunnel, I only know that when I am driving on Interstate 10 heading towards the beach I love it when we get to the tunnel. After driving along the flat terrain of Southern Mississippi and Alabama this tunnel is about the most exciting thing along this stretch of the interstate. Sure, we honk occasionally, but that isn't the only silly thing you can do in the tunnel. It is fun to try and hold your breath as you travel "under the water' (unless your driving, then you should breath normally). The last few trips, and this one only works if you are listening to the radio, we have made a fun game of trying to continue the lyrics of the song as it fades from the radio. There is plenty of back seat fun to be had when you go through this tunnel. read more

Very pleased with this tunnel! Highly recommend if you're on I-10 and need to get to the other side. Will definitely return on our way back home to Florida! read more

As tunnels go, this one is really clean and well lit. It's pretty cool since you go under the river. As we got towards the end everyone started honking. We didn't know what the dealio was, but apparently it's a thing. The honking caused me to initially wonder who the heck was honking at us, then many started doing it. I giggled especially when my hubby joined in. read more

Short tunnel and the kids always enjoy it while traveling. Radio signal gets a little fuzzy, but today was quick - not much traffic. read more

George Wallace Tunnel - Battle ship to your right, shortly after exiting the tunnel - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Mobile, Alabama

Its a tunnel. People like to honk their horns in it for some reason. The traffic is bad in this area probably since the speed drops suddenly and drops down to 45 mph. No fan of who its named after but have at it America. As tunnel go its a nice one. read more

This is not necessarily, something you come to visit, but I assure you if you are driving through town, you really can't skip it. It's a marvel of engineering. It's not too long as if you in the middle you can see both the entrance and exit at the same time. Be careful during busy traffic as you might be stuck in here for quite awhile. It provides really cool echos if you happen to be opening your windows and screaming. Something I witnessed, not participated in. =) read more

The tunnel is a really cool spot on the long trip to Mississippi...It's not a very long tunnel, but it's pretty neat. Forget cell or radio signal here.... It vanishes entirely while inside the tunnel. This seemingly mundane location is very cool considering you're driving under water when you go through the tunnel. This is definitely something to look forward to on the long trip to Mississippi. read more

Always a fun experience driving through any tunnel, except for the careless drivers. I would rather go this way to Daphne, Spanish fort than going the other route. Highly recommend just because it's a freakin tunnel. read more

Alabama sucks. There's nothing to do. The most exciting thing I did was go thru this stupid tunnel. Why is there a review for a tunnel?!?! read more

I'm not a fan of driving over water but for some reason I love going through this tunnel. My first trip through was a long time ago on a church trip to Jacksonville and I'll admit I was frightened the first trip through. After our fun time in Florida I was looking forward to going through the tunnel. I've grown up since then and still not a fan of extended bridges over water but still a big fan of the George Wallace Tunnel. I like it because it's unusual, where I live tunnels are common and there certainly isn't one that goes underwater. I am becoming a big fan of the western coast of Florida so I expect many more trips in the future through the George Washington Tunnel and next time, I'll honk the horn. read more

Okay, Bama this tunnel definitely blows the Louisiana tunnels I've driven through out of the water. It's smooth, doesn't leak and has great lighting. 10/10 would drive through again. read more

Tunnels! Eek, exciting. Passing through the tunnel in Mobile brings back some childhood wonder of days past. The tunnel goes beneath the Mobile river and it's a pretty neat little experience- as short lived as it may be. When I'm heading to Pensacola I almost always hit a traffic jam upon entering the tunnel. It is really well lit at night. Some people may be a little iffy taking the tunnel, but it's not bad if everyone just drives safe. Enjoy the view leading up to the tunnel. Mobile is especially pretty all lit up at night. read more

I just had to rate this tunnel. I added yelp on this trip to do a few reviews, now I'm just curious and bored. Everyone is doing it, so I should too. Only 4 stars because Fort Pitt is my favorite. read more

What local kid visiting the big city of Mobile hasn't begged their mother to make George Wallace tunnel a destination or drive out of their way just to take this route? I cannot wait until my Indiana-born daughter is a little older to bring her here and tell her that she has to hold her breath while going under this bridge. read more