Route thru Mobile, Alabama

[timdenchanter]

We will be heading to Walt Disney World from Houston in May, 2010. I understand propane tanks are not allowed to pass through the tunnel on I-10 at Mobile, Alabama. What is the preferred route around the tunnel?

Tim in Katy

[mcgiver2]

Well i have past there a lot of time and honestly i never thou of it, i always go thru the tunnel.......

[indy roadrunner]

I went through there back in October on my way to Bay St Louis. Not only that but I was following two other campers at the time.

[TLightning]

We've been through there with propane tanks too...might check your source again.

On edit...don't recall seeing any signs saying propane is prohibited.

[shotgunred10]

I think this came from the fact that hazardous shipments can't go through the tunnel. They have cameras watching and the fine is REALLY steep if they catch such a shipment. I don't think it includes campers with butane bottles. If you wish, however, to bypass the tunnel, take the Water Street exit off I-10(I think it is exit 26B), go north until it changes to I-165, take the highway 98 east exit(I think this is exit 2) and cross the compound suspension bridge and continue south on the east side of the river back to I-10 east.

[timdenchanter]

Thanks for the feedback. I did what I should have done in the first place and sent an email to the Mobile Police Department. The reply said:

"Mr. Anderson,
It is legal for you to travel with these propane tanks. I verified this with the Commander of our Special Operations Section, which includes our Traffic Unit. Have a safe trip."

He added a postscript:
"Further clarification, it is legal as long as you are not tansporting cargo or are a placarded vehicle."

Thanks to Mr. Michael Hewitt of The City of Mobile this non-issue has been resolved.

Tim in Katy

[OntMont]

We have done that route several times. There is a restriction on "hazardous cargo", but your propane tanks are not "cargo", it just fuel, like your gasoline and diesel which would also be resticted as "cargo". So, bottom line, no problem, just stick with I-10.

[HughM]

Stick with I-10. The bridge north of I-10 has about 12 ft. clearance. I forgot the highway number.
Hugh

[Art-n-Marge]

If you are one of the few that travel with open propane, like when running your refrigerator to keep the contents cold, then you'll need to exit a prior turnoff and shut the valves until you are past the tunnels. This is also true when approaching a fuel stop. This is because a spark from a refrigerator when it restarts the compressor can be a problem in enclosed areas or where there could be vapors.

Stay safe, all.

[mcgiver2]

Iam not sure but correct me if iam wrong. i think theres a lot of us me includeing that runs the refrigerator when your traveling to keep the contents cold.,,,,,

[indy roadrunner]

I don't think my refrig has a compressor. I think it is the gas evap type. I run with it on all the time even when fueling. It is some 30 feet back from the fuel tank.