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Mobile (urban stretch):
SAFETY (6): Weaving traffic concerns at closely placed on and off ramps between Exits 1 and 5B create problems. Some of these have been addressed however by reconstructing cloverleaf interchanges at Airport Blvd (Exit 3) and recently US 90/Gov't Blvd (Exit 1) to consolidate ramps. North of Mobile, the safety concerns drop.
CONGESTION (9): I almost never get involved in a traffic jam, and that's even with 93,000 vpd between Exits 3 and 4.
PAVEMENT CONDITION (10): ALDOT keeps on top of this and repaves it often.
CLARITY OF SIGNING (8): There are a few missing exit tabs for Exit 5A, and the upcoming exit signs would be better placed as centerline mounts.
AESTHETICS (5): It's an ugly freeway with commercialized frontage roads and billboards throughout most of the Mobile. It doesn't get much better to the north until you leave the city of Chickasaw. The bridge over the Mobile and Tensaw Rivers however score a 10 for aesthetics.
Between Mobile and Montgomery:
SAFETY (8)
CONGESTION (10)
PAVEMENT CONDITION (10): Most of the concrete has been paved over with asphalt in recent years.
CLARITY OF SIGNING (10)
AESTHETICS (6): It's the most boring freeway I have ever driven. There is nothing to see by miles upon miles of pine forest. I'd rather see that than billboards or suburban sprawl, but there needs to be more allure to the adjoining landscape IMO.
Montgomery (urban area):
SAFETY (7): Some weaving traffic concerns exist here as well.
CONGESTION (7): Flows well, but lots of traffic between US 80 and I-85.
PAVEMENT CONDITION (6): While I love the concrete, it's really a bumpy ride.
CLARITY OF SIGNING (8): Same concerns as with Mobile
AESTHETICS (7): Not as built up as mobile, and the Alabama River crossing is nice.
Between Montgomery and Birmingham:
SAFETY (10)
CONGESTION (9)
PAVEMENT CONDITION (9)
CLARITY OF SIGNING (9)
AESTHETICS (7): A step up from the Mobile to Montgomery stretch, but still boring.
Birmingham (urban area):
SAFETY (5): Too much traffic on only six lanes. The "Malfunction Junction" (I-65 at I-20 / I-59) interchange lives up to its name. Traffic also flows too fast for how much of it there is and the curved nature of the freeway.
CONGESTION (5): Not enough capacity, routine delays during rush hour
PAVEMENT CONDITION (6): The concrete is showing its age
CLARITY OF SIGNING (9)
AESTHETICS (10): It's a great urban freeway with great views of downtown.
Between Birmingham and Alabama-Tennessee border:
SAFETY (9)
CONGESTION (9)
PAVEMENT CONDITION (9)
CLARITY OF SIGNING (9)
AESTHETICS (7)
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