The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is set to open the new Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) Bridge in Gulf Shores the week before Memorial Day, introducing a new traffic pattern designed to ease congestion along one of the state’s busiest coastal routes.
According to local reports, the new bridge will carry two southbound-only lanes, while the existing Foley Beach Express Bridge will shift to two northbound-only lanes, creating a one-way system to improve traffic flow.
ALDOT officials say the opening timeline remains dependent on weather and final construction activities.
The $52 million bridge project is designed to reduce congestion, improve safety, and strengthen hurricane evacuation routes along Alabama’s Gulf Coast.
It is part of a broader effort to expand transportation capacity in Baldwin County, including a $30 million connector project to State Route 161 and additional roadway improvements in the surrounding area.
Once complete, the new bridge will work alongside the existing Beach Express Bridge to increase the number of lanes crossing the Intracoastal Waterway from seven to ten, significantly improving traffic capacity for residents and visitors.
Construction is now in its final stages, with major structural work complete and crews continuing finishing work ahead of the anticipated opening.
The project is expected to provide immediate relief as traffic increases heading into the summer travel season along Alabama’s Gulf Coast.
