Work continues on the Foley Beach Express after several projects were delayed due to pending approval by the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT).
Foley approved widening and repaving over two years ago. The project and projects to improve intersections are part of the city's long-term plan.
ALDOT officials approved the projects earlier this year, and Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the widening and addition of shoulders should be complete in the upcoming weeks. After that, intersection improvements will begin.
Extra lanes, lights and signals will be added where the highway meets Baldwin County Roads 20 and 12.
The intersection improvements are expected to cost around $3 million, and the city hopes to receive an Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program II (ATRIP II) grant to pay for most of that.
"We had these in our long-range plan anyway, but this way, we're going to get the ATRIP money," Hellmich said.
Upon completion of the work, Foley will transfer the city-owned section of the highway between Alabama 59 and Baldwin County 12 to ALDOT.
Hellmich touted the city's relationship with ALDOT, saying they work together to improve highways that run through the city.
"We have traditionally partnered with ALDOT on Highway 59," Hellmich said. "Now that this road is becoming a federal/state highway, we anticipate that we'll be partners with them on projects there too. It's really no different than what we're doing on Highway 59."
Thousands more vehicles are using the Foley Beach Express now that there are no longer tolls on the Beach Express bridge. The tolls were lifted last Memorial Day after ALDOT bought the bridge. Hellmich said the move relieved some traffic on U.S. 59.
ALDOT numbers showed 47,000 fewer vehicles on U.S. Highway 59 during the Fourth of July week compared to the same week the year before.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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