Five-laning of Canal Road west almost done; project to the east delayed until at least fall

John Mullen • May 6, 2021

RESTORE paperwork, traffic fatigue cause postponement

Photo of work on Canal Road in Orange Beach, Alabama.

(OBA®) – While one Canal Road project is coming to a happy conclusion – five laning from State Route 161 to Cyress Village – another one is being delayed several months.


Neither project was part of an action item at the May 4 Orange Beach City Council regular and work sessions but were discussed as the five-lane project winds down possibly as early as May 7.


“We hope to be finished or very close to finished this week,” Mayor Tony Kennon said. “It may be a few driveways that are lagging but for the most part we think short of 40 days and 40 nights of rain I think we can get it done. The contractor has been very easy to work with and worked really hard in a very difficult situation.”


Community Development Director Kit Alexander said those mop-up projects along the roadway may still cause minor delays.


“There will still be intermittent lane closures to do those improvements,” Alexander said. “Then we’re going to have the decel lane that’s going to be constructed going into Cypress Village. We’re also going to be redoing the driveways to the school. There may be some intermittent lane closures but it’s going to be nothing like we’ve been dealing with over the past year.”


A second Canal Road project, adding a center turn lane, roundabout near the library and 10-foot sidewalk from State Route 161 east to Wilson Boulevard was first expected to start on the cusp of the summer season. For a variety reasons the earliest start, Kennon said, would be in the fall.


“We didn’t realize until we really got into the RESTORE federal council review process that they are reviewing documents throughout, over and over and over again,” Alexander said. “There’s just a lot of documentation that we have to put together because it’s a federally funded project. We’ve heard, too, from people who have spoken to me, people want a break from what we’ve been dealing with on west Canal Road. So, after the busy summer season it’s better that we start it then and give people a little break so we can calm down on the roads.”   


Alexander said that starting the estimated 15-month project after the 2021 summer season will cause impacts during only one summer season rather than two if it was started before Memorial Day.


During the regular session, the council:

                       

  • Approved a special events retail liquor license application by Event Concessions for the Muscadine Bloodline concert on May 27 at The Wharf.


  • Approved a restaurant retail liquor license application for Wolf Bay Beachside which is moving into the old Fin and Fork space on beach road at the west end of town.


  • OK’d a resolution awarding the bid for pest control for various city facilities to Beebe's Pest & Termite Control per unit pricing for a maximum term of three years. 


  • OK’d a resolution authorizing the execution of a professional services agreement with C Spire Business for voice and data telecommunication services.


  • OK’d a resolution authorizing a revised not to exceed amount of $12.9 million for Crowder Gulf for debris clearance and sand reclamation services related to Hurricane Sally response. 


  • OK’d a resolution authorizing a contract with Thompson Consulting Services to provide additional debris monitoring, emergency management planning, and disaster grant consulting services related to Hurricane Sally in an amount not to exceed $471,814.


  • OK’d a resolution authorizing the assignment of the lease agreement with Intellicom Wireless Management for a wireless communications tower to SWI Funds Tower Holdings.

           

  • OK’d a resolution appropriating funds to move and store a donated piano for the Performing Arts Center in an amount not to exceed $2,000.


During the work session, the council discussed:


  • A resolution authorizing the execution of a subaward grant agreement with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the RESTORE Act state expenditure plan funded Alabama Point seawall repair.


  • Two resolutions authorizing license agreements with Baldwin County Board of Education for the city to use school property to temporarily locate Fire Station No. 5. and an agreement to locate portable classrooms for Orange Beach Elementary School to city property north of the tennis courts.


  • A resolution authorizing the assignment of the lease agreement with Intellicom Wireless Management for a wireless communications tower.


  • A resolution authorizing a franchise for ABM Waste Management to remove and dispose of commercial solid waste and to remove and transport construction and demolition debris.


  • A resolution moving the June 1 council regular and work sessions to June 8.


  • Setting public hearings for May 18 on a change to the buffering ordinance, Caribe Seaside which is planning a condo tower directly east of the Cotton Bayou Beach Access and changes to the Sunset Park planned unit development on Canal Road.

Share this article w/ Friends...

Baldwin County Housing Market Shows Mixed Trends in June
By OBA Staff July 11, 2025
Robertsdale, Ala. — (OBA) — Baldwin County’s housing market in June 2025 showed lower average home prices but strong buyer activity, according to the latest report from Baldwin REALTORS Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The data reveals that both traditional residential and resort markets experienced a decline in average
Gulf Shores Marching Band
By OBA Staff July 11, 2025
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Gulf Shores High School is celebrating a significant boost for its band program. The school has been selected to receive a donation from the Morgan Wallen Foundation Music Education Grant. This grant brings $38,920 worth of new percussion instruments to the school, including marimbas...
Gulf Shores Police Cruiser
By OBA Staff July 10, 2025
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Gulf Shores residents are being warned about a phone scam involving callers who pretend to be police officers. The Gulf Shores Police Department says it has received several reports from people who were contacted by someone claiming to be a department member.
Gulf Shores International Airport
By OBA Staff July 10, 2025
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Gulf Shores International Airport is preparing for the future as it considers expanding its terminal and welcomes a new dining partner. The airport, located just three miles from the white sand beaches of Alabama, is already seeing growth since launching its first scheduled airline service.
Blue Angels
By R. Ken Cooper July 10, 2025
Pensacola Beach, Fla. — (OBA) — Blue Angels jets soar above Pensacola Beach during a past air show, attracting tens of thousands of spectators to the shoreline. Pensacola’s hometown U.S. Navy Blue Angels will once again roar over Pensacola Beach this weekend, headlining the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show...
Foley’s 1941 Navy N3N biplane will take part in the Veterans Flight this weekend in Pensacola.
By OBA Staff July 10, 2025
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley’s vintage Navy biplane will fly in this weekend’s Veterans Flight event in Pensacola, marking a historic first for the city and its aircraft. The bright yellow 1941 Navy N3N biplane, now based in Foley, will join a fleet of vintage military planes taking veterans of World War II, Korea...
Yondr Pouch
By OBA Staff July 9, 2025
Robertsdale, Ala. — (OBA) — Baldwin County public schools are getting ready for a major change in the 2025-2026 school year. Starting in August, students will face new rules about cell phone use during the school day. The changes come after Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed the FOCUS Act into law earlier this year.
Foley City Hall
By OBA Staff July 9, 2025
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Foley, in partnership with Allen Engineering, is inviting members of the public to participate in an upcoming engagement meeting focused on the Bon Secour Stormwater Management Plan. This meeting is specifically aimed at individuals who live or work within the Bon Secour Watershed.
Stock Photo — School Lunch
By OBA Staff July 8, 2025
Robertsdale, Ala. — (OBA) — Baldwin County Public Schools announced that all students will receive free breakfast and lunch during the 2025-2026 school year. The district will continue its participation in the Community Eligibility Provision, or CEP, under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.
Orange Beach Golf Center Demo Day
By R. Ken Cooper July 8, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Golfers in the Orange Beach area have a unique opportunity to improve their game this summer. The Orange Beach Golf Center is inviting players of all skill levels to its Demo Day event. The event provides a hands-on experience with the newest golf technology.
Show More