This week, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and its contractors reached a major milestone on the new Intracoastal Waterway Bridge in Gulf Shores. Crews placed the final steel girders across the waterway, marking a big structural and visual step toward completion. The $52 million bridge project remains on track to open by summer 2026.
“This is one of the moments you can see and feel the progress,” said ALDOT Southwest Region spokesperson James Gordon. “The pictures say it all.”
The new bridge, along with the existing Beach Express Bridge, will provide two lanes in each direction, doubling capacity for Beach Express users and increasing the total lanes across the waterway from seven to ten.
Current Progress
- Bridge substructure: 100% complete.
- Steel girders: 100% complete.
- Superstructure work: Crews will now focus on forming and pouring the bridge deck and constructing the barrier rail.
- Roadway work: 90% complete
Connector and Future Projects
Work also continues on the $30 million SR-161 connector and the planned widening of SR-180 from Beaver Creek to the Beach Express Bridge. The SR-161 connector project is scheduled to finish by summer 2026.
Safety and Growth
When finished, the improvements will:
- Reduce congestion on Highway 59 even further.
- Improve emergency access to the island.
- Enhance hurricane evacuation efforts.
- Support local economic development.
Check ALDOT News.com for more updates as the bridge moves closer to opening day.
