Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – On Jan. 24, the Gulf Shores Planning Commission will hear a request from the city’s planning department to subdivide land near the city’s school campus to plot a road right of way for the reroute of East Canal Road.

City leaders are making plans and seeking permits to build a pedestrian bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway at the intersection of East Canal Road and East Second Street near Tacky Jacks and Big Beach Brewing. This will close this busy intersection to traffic and reroute it through the streets of the Gulf Pines neighborhood.

“With that we’ll have a detour route that will be a short-term solution to accommodate the traffic through the neighborhood as we build the pedestrian bridge,” City Engineer Mark Acreman said. “

Back in August, Acreman said the city had hired a consultant to study the best way to reroute the traffic through the neighborhood streets.

“Our traffic consultant Skipper and Associates is currently modeling multiple routes to determine which one will be the best for the community,” Acreman said. “In addition to the detour route we’re working on with ALDOT we’re also working on a midterm solution that will provide another alternative route of Highway 180. That will be funded through the BUILD grant.”

The right of way the city is asking for in the subdivision of the property around the school would be the western end of the new road once it’s built around the neighborhood.

Ryan Shamburger is the general manager of Big Beach Brewing and also lives in the Gulf Pines neighborhood. He feels in the long run the final result will be better for the entire area.

“We recognize there’ll be growing pains for the greater vision of this area,” Shamburger said. “We do think that the eventual vision of a road going all the way around the neighborhood and the pedestrian bridge that allows for an entertainment district for the betterment of all the neighborhoods connected to this district.”

During the meeting, the planning commission will also discuss:

• Subdividing a lot at the Sportsplex into two separate lots for a “future multisport athletic facility.” Staff will recommend approval with some conditions.

• A request to develop a 15-cottage subdivision in the 400 block of East First Avenue on a 1.25-acre parcel. Staff will recommend approval of the plan with conditions.