Editor's note: A response from ALDOT is at the bottom of Mayor Craft's statement.

(OBA®) – Gulf Shores, AL – The current owners of the Beach Express Toll Bridge have been negotiating with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) on various alternative plans to ALDOT’s proposed free bridge since they purchased the toll bridge in 2018. ALDOT was scheduled to release bids on the new bridge today, Friday, July 30.

I am extremely disappointed to learn through a statement released by Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon that this project has been delayed, once again, after three years of fruitless negotiations with these new owners. The transportation issues we are working to solve impact Gulf Shores as much as any community and it is totally unacceptable that we are not directly involved when decisions like this are made.

On average, over 50,000 cars cross the W.C. Holmes Bridge in Gulf Shores each day while only 11,000 cars pay to cross the Beach Express Toll Bridge. This is not because the toll bridge can’t handle more vehicles or Highway 59 is a quicker route. This is only because drivers are clearly choosing to use a free public route over paying a private toll. ALDOT’s proposed free bridge will immediately relieve traffic congestion on Highway 59 and enhance public safety by providing a third access on and off the island that will also serve as an evacuation route.

The Baldwin County Bridge Company (BCBC) and the City of Orange Beach earn millions each year off the toll bridge operation so it is obvious why they are attempting to broker a deal to keep ALDOT from building a new free bridge. Additionally, according to Mayor Kennon’s statement, this proposal would allow BCBC to expand their private toll bridge and include a “substantial payment” to the City of Orange Beach. This proposal may be in the best financial interest of BCBC and the City of Orange Beach, but placing coastal Alabama’s transportation fate in the hands of a private toll bridge company is not a good deal for the people who live and work here or the millions who visit Alabama’s beaches each year.

ALDOT’s new bridge is designed, the right-of-way has been acquired, permits are in hand and the funding is in place. The new owners of the toll bridge have had a chance to provide an acceptable solution for the last three years and have failed to do so. The time for negotiating has passed. It is time for ALDOT to build the new bridge. Our residents, visitors and Alabama’s beaches are depending on it.

After being contacted by the OBA Community Website, Craft said he had a commitment from ALDOT that the spur road from the Beach Express just south of Coastal Gateway Boulevard to Cotton Creek Drive will still be built.

Craft said he had a "solid commitment to connect to the express regardless of bridge, initially thru Roscoe."

ALDOT RESPONSE

The OBA Community Website reached out to ALDOT for comment on the negotiation, specifically if the bridge plan is scrapped will the road from near Gateway Boulevard on the Beach Express to County Road 4 in Gulf Shores still be built. It was planned to lead up to the new bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway.

"'There remains a significant need for a roadway in that area, and ALDOT will continue working toward meeting that need," ALDOT's Tony Harris said.

Here is the rest of his statement:

“At Mayor Kennon’s request, we have agreed to a three-month period of discussions with the local governments and the new owners of the Baldwin County Bridge Company. The aim of the discussions is to develop a solution that adds capacity and ultimately relieves traffic congestion on Highway 59. We are encouraged that with the support of Mayor Kennon and other local officials, there is an opportunity to explore these options. If this negotiation process does not yield an acceptable solution, we are prepared to place the ALDOT bridge project in a bid opening as early as December and move forward. Our goal at ALDOT remains the same: we want to safely reduce the traffic congestion that is a threat to residents’ quality of life and the area’s economy.”