Spring Breakers are navigating around extensive construction zones on Alabama State Highway 59 in Gulf Shores. As the widening and improvement project continues, city officials are working to update the public.
The work constructing a median south of Clubhouse Drive is near completion. The contractor is finishing striping and removing temporary yellow barricades. Following completion, those three lanes will be open, and then the next phase of the median work will begin north of Clubhouse Drive. After the median work is complete, asphalt work will begin at the Clubhouse Drive intersection.
"After the intersection of Clubhouse Drive is fully operational, West 20th Avenue will temporarily close to allow for the installation of the permanent median between eastbound and westbound lanes, the removal of old traffic signal footers and the construction of the third southbound lane through the intersection," the city stated in a press release. "Following this work, traffic will shift onto the new southbound lane to allow median installation south of 20th Avenue. Once this work is complete, all three southbound lanes will be opened south of W.C. Holmes Bridge."
The city asked drivers to be patient during the improvement project.
The work began in July 2023 but was briefly stalled after the contractor company was bought out. John G. Walton Construction Company, Inc., the contractor on the project, was acquired by Wiregrass Construction Company, Inc. in September.
Mayor Robert Craft hopes the work south of the Intracoastal Waterway will be completed by the end of summer.
"We're on schedule to open everything from the south end of the bridge to Fort Morgan Road by Memorial Day," Craft told 1819 News. "That's what we're working toward and our contractors are working hard to make that happen. They continue to meet with us weekly on the phone and monthly in person to have a conversation about that."
Funding for the project 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 [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning or become a member to gain access to exclusive content and 1819 News merch.
