GULF SHORES — Drivers in Gulf Shores have noticed crews absent from the Highway 59 widening project, and Mayor Robert Craft said people have become frustrated.
The roadway is being widened and lanes added to help manage growing traffic volumes. Construction began in July 2023.
Craft said people noticed work had stopped over the past few weeks, so he tried to find out why. He said John G. Walton Construction Company, Inc., the contractor on the project, was acquired by Wiregrass Construction Company, Inc. in September. Craft believes the sale and negotiations caused the work to stall. The mayor said he believes the change could be positive.
"I think we've already seen improvement with them cleaning up," Craft said of the new company. "It's much cleaner than it was and they are working with us to accelerate everything south of the bridge as quick as we can."
"We've got more discussions to have with them, but I think maybe that was one of the problems that we were having such challenges to have Walton do the things they needed to do," he said. "They were in negotiations to sell it."
1819 News reached out to ALDOT to ask if the change in ownership would delay the project's completion. ALDOT said it is not managing or overseeing the project. Funding is through the 2019 U.S. Department of Transportation’s BUILD Grant Program, the ATRIP 2 grant and funds from the city of Gulf Shores.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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