Alabama Road and Highway Updates

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Mobile River Bridge project advances as ALDOT, KMT begin pre-construction work
Alabama Political Reporter
Staff
May 7, 2025
LINK

As part of the design and pre-construction phase, KMT has launched a Pile Load Test Program aimed at evaluating the structural integrity of the concrete foundation piles that will support the new bridge. Testing will occur at six locations along the proposed bridge route and will involve 24-inch square precast concrete piles.

The testing is scheduled to take place between May and August, with work occurring from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Prior to testing, crews will mobilize equipment and materials, including cranes, support vehicles and concrete piles. ALDOT stated that the testing phase is not expected to affect traffic on Interstate 10.

Word is that actual construction on the bridge could begin late this year. I'll believe it when I see it, but it seems like things are actually moving along. I think ground testing has already been completed. This thing might actually be finished before I'm 40! I'd really like to see official renderings. I'd hate for this to be just some run-of-the-mill cable stayed bridge...

[SpawnOfVulcan]

New $78 million Tensaw River bridge on track for 2027 opening
Jordyn Lassiter
12/11/2025
Fox 10
LINK

A new $78 million bridge over the Tensaw River remains on schedule to open in fall 2027, replacing the aging westbound span near Battleship Park.

The current Tensaw River Bridge was built in the 1970s, and transportation standards have improved significantly since then, according to the Alabama Department of Transportation.

“It is to replace an older bridge. The older westbound bridge. It’s time for it to be replaced,” said James Gordon, ALDOT public information officer.

The bridge will also include pedestrian and bicycle access.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

ALDOT's website now has an excellent rundown of ongoing projects starting at the link below. Much, much better than having to constantly chase down the project letting lists...

LINK

[ttownfeen]

Looks like the Gordo bypass will finally open this year. More then 10 years after construction began...

[SpawnOfVulcan]

This is pretty huge for Baldwin County.

Novelis project to help fund $300 million Baldwin Beach Express II expansion
Feb 22, 2026
John Sharp
AL.com

....

The massive investment by Novelis, which is completing construction on a more than $4 billion plant in Baldwin County, is anticipated to support the county’s plan to build a $300 million stretch of the Baldwin Beach Express II.


The first step toward construction occurred Tuesday when the Baldwin County Commission approved a $3.2 million contract with Volkert Inc. to oversee the road’s design. Volkert will design the northernmost 4.9‑mile section of the corridor, extending from U.S. 31 to I‑65.

The new highway will feature:

Updated interchange designs at U.S. 31 and I‑65
A new diamond‑style interchange at the Novelis plant
Expansion to six lanes between the Novelis interchange and I‑65
Updated bridge designs
....

....

The northernmost section is expected to be the most expensive portion of the Beach Express II, accounting for nearly half the cost of the entire 25‑mile corridor that will eventually stretch to I‑10 at Bucee’s. The full project, connecting I‑65 to I‑10, is estimated at $638 million. There is no timetable for completing the entire corridor.

The existing Beach Express begins at I‑10 and continues south, becoming the Foley Beach Express before connecting to Alabama State Route 180 in Orange Beach. The original Baldwin Beach Express is a 13.2‑mile, four‑lane highway linking I‑10 to the Foley Beach Express. It cost about $100 million and was funded largely through the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program under former Gov. Robert Bentley.

Completion of the new corridor is viewed as vital for hurricane evacuations and for easing congestion on Alabama State Route 59, the main north‑south artery to the beaches in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

Baldwin County accounts for 29 percent of Alabama’s tourism economy, driven by its proximity to the coast. The county welcomed more than 8.4 million visitors in 2024.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Construction on the diverging diamond interchange at Lakeshore/I-65 has begun. LINK


Photo credit: ALDOT

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Here's another photo of the plans for the diverging diamond at Lakeshore/I-65 in Homewood.


Photo Credit: Volkert Engineers

LINK to AL.com article

Expected completion is Fall of 27'.