The Mobile area has recently seen its share of road closures on major bridges due to fiery vehicle wrecks.
Mobile is recipient of some of the largest amounts of rain in the entire country each year. Hydroplaning is a serious risk that can cause wrecks so keeping storm water inlets free of trash and debris is important in this area.
One look at the clogged storm water drainage inlets on the Cochrane–Africatown USA Bridge over Mobile River leads me to conclude that the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) in Mobile County or who ever maintains that bridge does not care about public safety.
Clogged inlets means storm water flow is crippled meaning excess water can build up on the roadway during heavy rains.
And ALDOT wants to build a new bridge over Mobile River? Heck, ALDOT cannot afford to maintain the bridges that has now...
Often, after I complain about stormwater pollution, I hear excuses like the pollution is "non-source". In other words, no one can prove where the trash or debris pollution came from. Problem ignored.
Well, the debris clogging the inlets on the Cochrane bridge is certainly specific. Not many companies haul pine tree wood chips or black cinder.
Because there is still inadequate storm water oversight in Mobile, a large number of storm water inlets in Mobile remain clogged even though the sources of the debris clogging the inlets are easily traceable to things like leaving dense grass debris in the street and by passing truck traffic which is spilling some of its load into the street.
But no one seems to do anything about the businesses putting the public at risk by clogging the stormwater inlets because they're probably afraid to create an anti-business climate in Mobile.
All I can say is if YOU get in a wreck caused by hydroplaning in Mobile, walk around the area after the wreck (if you're still alive) and take pictures of the nearby inlets. If the inlets are clogged, let your lawyer know so specific companies or roadway caretakers can be sued for recklessly ignoring the storm water inlets or for clogging them.