The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) continues to advance construction of the new Intracoastal Waterway Bridge in Baldwin County.
The $52 million project is designed to reduce congestion to Alabama’s beaches and improve safety for residents and visitors. The bridge project is paired with a new connector road to SR-161, creating a major new route to help traffic move more efficiently to and from the island.
In addition, ALDOT will widen a portion of SR-180 from Beaver Creek to the current toll-free Beach Express Bridge. All projects remain on schedule for completion by summer 2026.
Waterway Bridge Progress
The bridge decks were completed in December 2025, marking one of the final steps in the new bridge construction.
When finished, the new bridge and the existing Beach Express Bridge will each provide two lanes of traffic, doubling capacity for Beach Express users. These improvements willdouble the number of travel lanes across the Intracoastal Waterway along the Baldwin County coast- meaning more capacity and less delay.
Current Status
- Bridge substructure: 100% complete
- Steel girders: 100% complete
- Superstructure work: 95% complete
- Roadway work: 90% complete
Subcontractors are now scheduled to install the protective concrete barrier wall on the bridge, while another crew prepares to apply the final coat of paint to the steel girders, which will complete the remaining superstructure tasks. Crews are also preparing to begin final paving on the south side of the bridge along SR-180 (Canal Road) and will soon shift traffic into its final configuration.
SR-161 Connector
Work continues on the SR-161 connector project:
- Right-of-way has been cleared from CR-4 to the first low-level bridge site.
- Utility relocation and roadway construction are ongoing.
Looking Ahead
- SR-180 Widening: The project from Beaver Creek to the Beach Express Bridge is scheduled for bid in summer 2025, with construction expected to begin after Labor Day.
- Holmes Bridge (Hwy 59): Following completion of the new pedestrian bridge and Highway 59 widening, the City of Gulf Shores will add a third southbound lane, creating six total lanes to further improve traffic flow.
Safety and Economic Benefits
Once complete, these combined projects will:
- Reduce congestion on State Highway 59, State Highway 161 and State Route 180
- Improve access for emergency responders
- Enhance hurricane evacuation capacity
- Support continued economic growth in Coastal Alabama
ALDOT encourages motorists to remain alert for periodic traffic shifts as final paving and barrier installation take place throughout the construction of these projects.
Stay tuned to ALDOTNews.com for the latest updates.
