[Bogue]

"The thing is, many people on the Eastern Shore don't travel to Mobile because they simply view it as too far."

Never encountered this... at all... ever. I think it's more a function of those communities already having a facsimile of the things available in Mobile, just like most suburbs. Really why go to Bell Air when you can go to the ESC or to one of the stores in Daphne or Spanish Fort? They still come to Mobile to get the things not available on their side (like decent nightlife) or that are cheaper here.

I agree w/ badrock on the need for another connector to the UA in Tuscaloosa.