FOLEY — The numbers are in for summer travel in Baldwin County, and Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich said ending the tolls on the Beach Express bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) has lessened traffic congestion through the center of Foley.
Work continues on building a third bridge over the ICW, and the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is ahead of schedule on widening the Foley Beach Express. Both projects are expected to relieve even more traffic on Highway 59 from Foley to Gulf Shores.
ALDOT reports show since the tolls were lifted over Memorial Day weekend, 6,000 to 8,000 more vehicles have used the Beach Express.
In June, there was a 44% increase in vehicles using the Beach Express compared to the same period in 2023. There were more than 257,000 vehicles on the roadway in that month.
Traffic on Highway 59 decreased significantly during the week of July 4, with around 47,000 fewer vehicles using the roadway.
As for the widening of Foley Beach Express, Hellmich said there was no way to avoid construction during tourist season because the estimated days of construction were set at 250. However, he said the progress would be worth the headaches when it was completed.
“Our Foley Beach Express has tried the patience of people on that road, but the ALDOT/Foley contractor is ahead of schedule,” Hellmich said. “They have already widened the road. They are now in the paving portion of it.”
Once the Foley Beach Express widening project is completed, the City will transfer ownership to ALDOT.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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