Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Canal Road sidewalk‑widening project in Orange Beach is moving toward completion, bringing relief to residents and motorists who use the route near Caswell and Bear Point. City officials said the expanded sidewalk will be substantially complete by the end of January. All sections are expected to be open to the public at that time. Only minor tasks are projected to remain as workers move into February.

According to the City of Orange Beach, the final work includes driveway tie‑ins, asphalt finishing, and landscaping. The narrow construction zone has been marked by orange barrels for months, but officials say those should be removed as February begins. The project was originally scheduled to be completed on December 31, but early construction uncovered significant utility conflicts, resulting in delays.

City leaders noted that the contractor increased its efforts once those conflicts were resolved. City officials expressed appreciation for the public’s patience and understanding during the extended construction period. The final stretch of the Canal Road Multi‑Use Trail Connectivity Project widens the sidewalk to ten feet from Bay La Launch Avenue to Wilson Boulevard. This connects to an already completed ten‑foot shared‑use path running from Wilson Boulevard to the intersection at Orange Beach Boulevard near Doc’s Seafood.

Another finished section of the project added a new ten‑foot path from Wharf Parkway East at the Cumberland Farms gas station to Commercial Avenue. A five‑foot sidewalk was also constructed along Commercial Avenue from Captain’s Cove to Oak Street. However, officials reported that the limited right‑of‑way between Oak Street and Doc’s Seafood prevents a connecting path in that area.

The Orange Beach City Council approved the construction of the ten‑foot path in September 2024. The contract was awarded to Wiregrass Construction Company Inc. with a qualified low bid of $3,679,727. Thompson Engineering is overseeing the work as part of the City’s larger plan to improve pedestrian and bicycle access along Canal Road.