On March 30, 2026, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), started an eight-month inspection of the General W.K. Wilson Jr. Bridge, also known as the “Delta Bridge.” (Some locals have nicknamed it after a very famous country music artist…)
The bridge is more than six miles long and carries four lanes of I-65 traffic across the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. It has been connecting Mobile and Baldwin County since 1981. In accordance with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), ALDOT inspects all bridges at least every two years, while some structures, like the Delta Bridge, are inspected annually depending on their condition, complexity and design.
ALDOT’s bridge crew is checking every part of the structure, from the roadway above to the hard-to-reach areas below. One of the engineers working on the project is Daniel Campbell, a 2025 civil engineering graduate from the University of South Alabama.
Campbell rode a man lift up 120 feet so he could closely examine the arches of the Delta bridge.
He said, “It’s one of those jobs that happens in the background. People drive over bridges every day without really thinking about them, but we’re continuously inspecting these structures and performing maintenance to ensure the public remains safe and confident in the infrastructure they rely on.”
With the help of man lifts, bucket trucks, and special equipment like the ASPEN AERIAL A-62, crews can examine every part of the bridge, even the areas you can’t see. In addition, inspectors like Campbell often work high above the ground. They must trust the equipment, the operator, and the traffic control team below to keep them safe. Teamwork is vital to keeping the work safe and efficient.
As the inspection continues over the next several months, drivers should expect potential lane closures and possibly reduced speeds. Inspections like this extend the life of important structures like the Delta Bridge. They also help identify potential maintenance needs and repairs that are planned into future projects to keep Alabama moving.
For those interested in a career like this, you can find job opportunities with ALDOT at ALDOTjobs.org.
