Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – The East Canal Road widening project in Orange Beach has been completed. The project, stretching from Highway 161 to Wilson Boulevard, expanded much of the 1.4-mile section of the road to three lanes. This includes a middle turn lane east of the roundabout. The roundabout was added near the public library, along with a 10-foot multi-use path on the north side of the road​​.

There are new speed limits of 28 mph from Highway 161 through the roundabout, 40 mph from the roundabout to Wilson Boulevard, and 45 mph from Wilson Boulevard to Bear Point​. 

The project, which began in September 2022, was overseen by Thompson Engineering and constructed by John G. Walton Construction Company, Inc., at a cost of $7.36 million. Most of the funding, $5.9 million, came from the RESTORE Act funds​.

An extension of the multi-use path from Wilson Boulevard to Bear Point is planned to start before the end of the year. The project’s objective is to improve traffic flow and safety in a congested area along East Canal Road.