NOAA has documented an annual relative rise in sea level of 3.74 mm/year…and 100 year rise is 1.23 feet in the area of Mobile Bay. (Source: NOAA)

Climate is weather of a given area measured over time…decades…it always changes. We have been in a warming trend since the last Ice Age, the next Ice Age will end this trend in about 5,000 years or so.

The Earth’s orbital relationship to the Sun and its polar angle contribute more to the mean temperature of the Earth than anything that humans can do, with the exception of a nuclear winter. Volcanoes also have a measurable effect.

Using all of the wealth of the people planet-wide to “fight global climate change” would result in zero effect on Earth’s climate over the next 100 years. None. However, it would put all of the nations into a New Stone Age, and likely do much to depopulate the planet of the human species. Think Holodomor planet-wide, not just in the Ukraine.

2. The I-10 bayway is now 40 years old under heavy daily traffic. The bridges are already at functional deficiency, and within 20-30 years will be structurally deficient. Again higher sea levels, and more vulnerability to hurricane impact (i.e. see old US 90 Biloxi Bridge after Katrina and I-10 bridge over Escambia Bay after Ivan). The ESMPO and Gov. Ivey have punted away the problem (for now). But the question remains: how will a replacement be funded in the future, and when?

3. Much of the traffic in this system is local commuter. So, mass transit needs to be considered. Express commuter buses to major employment centers and park/kiss and ride lots needed in both counties.

4. A toll system for the causeway and bayway should be based upon time of travel, HOV use, prepay, weight, electric/hybrid, etc., not a flat fee system.

These are not new problems. Large metros have been working these problems for years. But one thing is certain… if single vehicle single occupant travel is all the ESMPO and ADOT consider as the solution, $6 and inflating tolls will come up again.
It’s inevitable.