Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – Changes in the plans for widening work on State Route 59 from Cypress Bend Drive and County Road 6 will cost Gulf Shores an extra $118,213. The city will pay Volkert for the changes to remove plans for improvements at the State Route 59 and County Road 6 intersection. Added expenses made the change in plans necessary, according to city documents.

The city will meet in a work session council meeting on Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. in council chambers at city hall.

“The city originally contracted with Volkert in 2020 for the design services of the Highway 59 widening project as part of the BUILD grant,” a memo from Construction Manager Clint Colvin states. “As the construction costs for the project exceeded the available funding, the city applied for, and was awarded, an ATRP II grant from ALDOT for the portion of Highway 59 between Cypress Bend Drive and County Road 6. The ATRP II grant will fund up to $2 million of construction costs.”

BUILD is the federal Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development grant and ATRIP II is a State of Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program-II grant.

“As part of this agreement, Volkert will provide the necessary design services to revise and update the proposed ATRP II construction plans in accordance with the revised project limits and scope,” Colvin’s memo states. “Additionally, Volkert will handle all permitting and ALDOT construction plan reviews as required.

During the work session, the council will also discuss:

• A budget amendment noting revenues exceeding budget projections by $1.4 million.
• Adding a tax on vape products in the city at 10 cents per millimeter of the products sold in the city. Cities in the state have until Oct. 1 to enact the law and Orange Beach is considering doing so as well.
• The audit of the 2024 budget.
• Setting municipal court dates for 2026.
• A memorandum of understanding with Baldwin County for the “- Baldwin County Interoperability Communications System for police and fire protection services.”
• A public assembly permit for the 52nd annual National Shrimp Festival from Oct. 9-12 at Gulf Place.
• A public assembly permit for the Skippin and Sippin 5K run and fun run at LuLu’s on Oct. 25.
• A public assembly permit for the Gulf Shores Middle School Dolphin Dash on Nov. 15 at Gulf Place.